Jan. 27, 2011
Complete Release in PDF Format
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The ninth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team continues its home stand this weekend hosting No. 14 Loyola and Lewis. The Nittany Lions (4-1) take on the Ramblers Friday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. and the Flyers on Saturday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. Both matches will be played in the Main Gym of Rec Hall.
Links to live stats will be available at GoPSUsports.com.
Penn State Preview
The Nittany Lions opened their home slate on Jan. 21-22 with wins against EIVA foes Saint Francis and Springfield. Redshirt junior Joe Sunder (Greensburg, Pa.) led the team averaging 4.71 kills per set on .393 hitting. Redshirt sophomore Edgardo Goas (San Juan, Puerto Rico) averaged 10.71 assists per set and guided Penn State to a .350 attack percentage. Senior Dennis Del Valle (Toa Alta, Puerto Rico) led the team with 2.57 digs per set and sophomore Ian Hendries (Cardiff, Calif.) had a team-best 1.33 blocks per set. Penn State averaged 13.57 kills per set, 1.43 aces per set, 8.14 digs per set and 1.71 blocks per set for the weekend.
Penn State vs. Loyola
The Nittany Lions are 7-7 all-time against Loyola. In 2009, Penn State suffered a 3-2 loss to Loyola on Feb. 20, but faced the Ramblers again on March 21 and earned a 3-0 sweep. The Lions took on the Ramblers only once in 2010 and suffered a 3-2 setback on Jan. 30 at Loyola.
Scouting the Ramblers
Loyola is 4-0 to start off the season. The Ramblers have swept three of their four opponents, including Carthage, MSOE and Cardinal Stritch. Loyola also defeated Lindenwood by a score of 3-1. Penn State will be Loyola's first road match of the 2011 season.
Penn State vs. Lewis
Penn State is 15-7 all-time against the Flyers dating back to 1994. The teams last met in 2010 with the Nittany Lions securing a 3-1 victory on Jan. 29. Lewis' last win against PSU came on Jan. 9, 2004 at the Outrigger Invitational. The Flyers won, 3-1. However, Penn State met up with the Flyers a week later and earned a 3-1 victory.
Scouting the Flyers
Lewis opened the season going 5-0 defeating Mount Olive, King, Lees-McRae, Carthage and Lindenwood. The Flyers have swept three of their five opponents. Prior to arriving in State College, Lewis will make a stop at Saint Francis on Jan. 28.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions remain at home the weekend of Feb. 4-5 to host Ohio State, UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge. Penn State takes on UCI on Friday, Feb. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and CS Northridge on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Ohio State plays at 5 p.m. both days.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State men's volleyball 2011 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets at Hershey