Sept. 9, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -
The No. 1 Penn State women's volleyball team is back on the road this weekend at the Duke Invitational in Durham, N.C. The Nittany Lions open the tournament on Friday, Sept. 11 against Loyola (Md.) before facing the College of Charleston and Duke on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
Live stats will be available here and live audio will be available via a link at www.GoPSUsports.com.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions opened their 2009 home slate with the Nittany Lion Invitational on Sept. 4-5. Penn State finished with three 3-0 victories to extend its NCAA record-breaking winning streak to 70 consecutive matches. The Nittany Lions have now won 115 consecutive regular season sets and have won 133 of their last 135 sets. Penn State attacked at a .505 clip in three matches, including a Big Ten record .702 against Buffalo. Senior Megan Hodge led the Nittany Lions averaging 3.86 kills per set, while junior Fatima Balza had a team-best 1.50 blocks per set. Penn State averaged 14.00 kps, 12.60 assist per set, 2.22 aces per set, 11.00 digs per set and 3.00 bps.
Scouting the Greyhounds
Loyola is coming off a 3-1 performance in the Battle of Baltimore, including a 3-1 upset of Maryland. Prior to heading to North Carolina, the Greyhounds challenge the Howard Bison, who are 0-7, on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
The Series: Penn State vs. Loyola (Md.)
Penn State holds a 2-0 record against the Greyhounds. The Nittany Lions faced Loyola Sept. 12, 1981 and won, 2-0 (15-8, 15-8), at the Pitt Invitational. The next meeting took place 20 years later on Sept. 1, 2001. The Nittany Lions won, 3-0 (30-13, 30-14, 30-16).
Scouting the Cougars
Charleston heads into the Duke Invitational with a 1-5 overall record and most recently went 0-3 at the Cincinnati Bearcat Tournament. The Cougars only win was a 3-2 victory against Winthrop at Clemson's Big Orange Bash.
The Series: Penn State vs. Charleston
Saturday's match with Charleston will be the first meeting between the two teams.
Scouting the Blue Devils
Duke boasts a 5-1 overall record after sweeping the Georgia Dawgs Invitational with victories against Georgia, South Alabama and Tennessee State on Sept. 4-5. The Blue Devils host Colorado State on Wednesday, Sept. 9 before welcoming Loyola, Charleston and the Nittany Lions to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Series: Penn State vs. Duke
The Nittany Lions own an 8-0 records in the all-time series with the Blue Devils. The two programs first met Nov. 2, 1985 with Penn State winning in five sets (11-15, 15-1, 3-15, 15-10, 15-10) in Philadelphia, Pa. The two squads last met on Sept. 2, 2006 at the Penn State Invitational. The Nittany Lions won, 3-0 (30-18, 30-18, 30-22).
What's Next?
Penn State is back on the road at Temple on Sept. 18 before returning home to host Saint Francis (Pa.) and Temple on Sept. 19. The Nittany Lions take on the Owls on Friday at 7 p.m. Penn State returns home to Rec Hall to host the Red Flash at 10 a.m. and Temple at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Live stats will be available at www. GoPSUsports.com