Jan. 26, 2012
Ken & Dave Dunlap Invitational
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The No. 8 Penn State men's volleyball team continues its travels with a trip to the Ken and Dave Dunlap Invitational at Ohio State on Jan. 27-28. The Nittany Lions are set to face No. 4 Stanford on Friday, Jan. 27 and No. 12 Pacific on Saturday, Jan. 28. Both matches are set to begin at 5 p.m. in St. John Arena.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions improved to 2-1 overall this season after a 1-1 showing at then No. 14 Loyola and No. 9 Lewis. Redshirt senior Joe Sunder (Greensburg, Pa.) led the Lions with 3.71 kills per set, while freshman Aaron Russell (Ellicott City, Md.) averaged 2.29. Redshirt senior Edgardo Goas (San Juan, Puerto Rico) dished out 11.14 assists per set, while redshirt freshman Connor Curry (Newport Beach, Calif.) had a team-best 1.86 digs per set. Russell led the team at the net with 0.71 blocks per set.
For the weekend, Penn State hit .273 and averaged 12.14 kills per set, 11.71 assists per set, 1.71 aces per set, 7.43 digs per set and 1.50 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Stanford
Penn State is 5-3 all-time versus the Cardinal. The two squads last met in the 2010 NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship in Palo Alto, Calif. Stanford won, 3-0, on its home court in Maples Pavilion.
Scouting the Cardinal
The Cardinal is 4-1 this season after kicking off 20-12 with three straight wins against Pacific, Juniata and Loyola. Stanford's only loss came at UCLA on Jan. 20, but the Cardinal earned a 3-1 win at UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 21. After the Cardinal faces Penn State on Friday, Stanford takes on the Buckeyes at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28.
Penn State vs. Pacific
This will be only the second meeting between Penn State and Pacific. The teams only meeting was in 1998 at Pacific with the Nittany Lions earning a 3-2 victory.
Scouting the Tigers
Pacific owns a 3-3 record this season and is 1-2 in the MIVA. The Tigers opened the season with back-to-back wins against Grand Canyon University, but suffered two straight 3-0 losses to Stanford and Loyola. Pacific rebounded with a 3-1 victory at UC Santa Barbara on Jan. 20, but suffered a 3-0 setback to UCLA the following day. The Tigers will face Ohio State on Jan. 27 meeting the Nittany Lions.
What's Next?
Penn State opens their 2012 home slate on Feb. 3-4. The Nittany Lions welcome Ohio State, Mount Olive and Cal-Baptist to Rec Hall. Penn State faces Mount Olive on Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in their home opener and takes on Cal-Baptist on Saturday, Feb.4 also at 7:30 p.m. Ohio State plays in the earlier match both days at 5 p.m.
For more information on the Penn State men's volleyball team, please visit GoPSUsports.com. The Penn State men's volleyball 2012 season is presented by Rockvale Outlets.