Feb. 24, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State University and Rec Hall are set to host the 2011 NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship on May 5 & 7.
The NCAA selection of Penn State as the host institution marks the fifth time the national championship will be held in University Park. The Nittany Lions served as hosts for the 1982, 1986, 2002 and 2006 championships.
"I'm extremely excited to have the 2011 NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship back here at Rec Hall," said head coach Mark Pavlik. "The Pennsylvania volleyball community has historically shown they support these type of events. I have no doubt those two nights of NCAA Championship volleyball will be well-received by our crowd and volleyball community. It should be an outstanding weekend."
In 2006, when Penn State last hosted the NCAA Championships, the Nittany Lions stunned top-seeded UC Irvine defeating the Anteaters 3-2 in a nearly three hour, epic match. Penn State went on to face UCLA in the national championship in front of a sell-out crowd at Rec Hall.
"We are very excited to host the NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship this year," said redshirt junior Edgardo Goas (San Juan, Puerto Rico). "It's a once in a lifetime experience that you could play on the biggest stage in front of your family, friends and fellow classmates. I can't wait for May to come around and have a rowdy Penn State crowd in Rec Hall!"
Future NCAA Men's Volleyball National Collegiate Championship sites include, the Galen Center at USC in 2012 and the Pauley Pavilion at UCLA in 2013.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2011 NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-NITTANY or by visiting the Bryce Jordan Ticket Office during normal business hours.
The Nittany Lions have advanced to the NCAA Semifinals 25 times, including the last 12 consecutive seasons. In 2010, Penn State made its sixth appearance in the NCAA National Championship match after sweeping Cal State Northridge in the NCAA Semifinals. Penn State owns two NCAA National Championships, winning in 1994 and again in 2008.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State men's volleyball 2011 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets and The Outlets at Hershey.