April 9, 2009
University Park, Pa. - The seventh-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team (21-3) heads to Princeton and George Mason this weekend for its last regular-season conference matches of the year. On Friday, April 10, the Nittany Lions and Tigers square off at 7:00 p.m. before the Lions meet the Patriots on Saturday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. The match between Penn State and George Mason will be a Dig Pink event to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer, and it is the first-ever Dig Pink men's match. Gametracker will be available for the contest via a link at www.GoPSUsports.com.
Previewing Penn State
The Nittany Lions come into the weekend with an overall record of 21-3 and a 10-0 league mark after defeating NJIT on April 4 in three games (30-17, 30-20, 30-10). The win over the Highlanders gave Penn State its 25th regular-season EIVA title and secured home-court advantage throughout the EIVA playoffs. Senior opposite Ryan Sweitzer and junior outside hitter Will Price lead the Lions with 3.47 and 3.44 kills per game, respectively, as junior middle hitter Max Lipsitz chips in 2.84 kills per game. Redshirt freshman setter Edgardo Goas directs the offense with 12.51 assists per game while sophomore libero Dennis Del Valle tops the defense with 3.00 digs per game. Lipsitz leads the blocking list with 1.25 blocks per game as senior middle hitter Max Holt chips in 1.09 blocks per game. As a team, Penn State is hitting .388 with 15.25 kills per game, 2.04 service aces per game, 9.10 digs per game and 2.88 blocks per game.
The Series: Penn State vs. Princeton
Penn State leads Princeton, 37-2, in a series that began in 1977. The previous meeting this year was a three-game Nittany Lion win (30-20, 30-23, 30-27) on March 27 at Rec Hall. The last meeting in Princeton, N.J., was a four-game Nittany Lion win (30-24, 30-17, 26-30, 30-25) on March 8, 2008.
The Series: Penn State vs. George Mason
Penn State leads George Mason, 82-14, in a series that began in 1977. The previous meeting this season was a three-game Nittany Lion win (30-18, 30-25, 30-18) on March 6 at Rec Hall. The last meeting in Fairfax, Va., was a four-game George Mason win (30-23, 30-22, 17-30, 33-31) on March 7, 2008, and was the only loss of Penn State's NCAA National Collegiate Championship season.
Digging Pink
Penn State's match at George Mason is special for more than just the on-court playoff implications and rivalries. The Patriots will become the first men's team in the country to hold a Dig Pink event to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. Please visit: http://www.sideoutvolleyball.org/# to donate and learn more about the Dig Pink efforts.
Next Up
Penn State remains on the road, traveling to Ball State (April 17) and Ohio State (April 18) before returning home to host the EIVA Championship on April 30 and May 2 at Rec Hall. The winner of the EIVA Championship earns an automatic berth into the NCAA National Collegiate Semifinals, slated for Thursday, May 7 in Provo, Utah. The NCAA National Collegiate Championship match is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, also in Provo, Utah.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State men's volleyball 2009 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets At Hershey.