Feb. 4, 2008
Complete Match Notes in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The second-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team hosts EIVA opponent Juniata on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:00 p.m. at Rec Hall. Gametracker will be available for the match at www.GoPSUsports.com.
Previewing Penn State
The Nittany Lions enter the match with a 9-0 record after defeating NJIT in three games (30-27, 30-23, 30-25) Saturday night in Newark, N.J. Junior outside hitter Matt Anderson leads the squad with 5.38 kills per game as junior opposite Ryan Sweitzer provides 3.75 kpg, junior middle hitter Max Holt adds in 3.13 kpg on .517 hitting and sophomore middle hitter Max Lipsitz averages 2.63 kpg on .519 hitting. Senior setter Luke Murray directs the offense with 13.72 assists per game while freshman libero Dennis Del Valle leads the defense with 3.23 digs per game and junior outside hitter Jay Stauffer chips in 1.67 dpg and Murray provides 1.66 dpg. Holt leads the blocking front with 1.43 blocks per game as Lipsitz and Murray average 1.10 and 1.03 bpg, respectively. As a team, Penn State is hitting .356 with 16.13 kills per game, 1.07 service aces per game, 9.97 digs per game and 3.32 blocks per game.
Scouting Juniata
The Eagles come into Tuesday's contest with a 3-2 overall record after falling to George Mason in five games (30-22, 30-28, 31-33, 26-30, 15-10) on Saturday in Huntingdon, Pa. Senior outside hitter Matt Fritz leads the team with 3.62 kills per game while sophomore outside hitter Zach Wanner and junior middle hitter Dan Powers chip in 3.10 and 2.52 kpg, respectively. Junior setter Matt Werle directs the offense with 12.00 assists per game and leads the defense with 1.62 digs per game while Powers heads the blocking list with 1.14 blocks per game. As a team, Juniata is hitting .256 with 14.57 kills per game, 1.43 service aces per game, 8.43 digs per game and 2.62 blocks per game.
The Series: Penn State vs. Juniata
Penn State leads Juniata, 30-0, in a series that began in 1993. The last meeting was a five-game Nittany Lion victory (26-30, 30-19, 30-22, 28-30, 15-10) on March 28, 2007 in Huntingdon, Pa. The last meeting at Rec Hall was a three-game Penn State win (30-28, 30-21, 30-23) on Feb. 6, 2007.
Next Up
Penn State welcomes MIVA powers Loyola-Chicago and IPFW on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8-9. The Nittany Lions and Ramblers square off on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in the South Gym of Rec Hall and then the Lions meet up with the Mastodons on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Gym of Rec Hall.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com.
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