Feb. 9, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The fifth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team (6-1) continues play at home in Rec Hall on Feb. 10-11 when it hosts EIVA opponents Rutgers-Newark and NJIT. The Nittany Lions take on the Scarlet Raiders on Friday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. before challenging the Highlanders on Saturday, Feb. 11 also at 7 p.m.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions improved to 6-1 overall this season after a 2-0 showing in their first home weekend of 2012. Penn State swept Mount Olive and Cal-Baptist in front of their home crowd on Feb. 3-4.
In two three set matches, three Nittany Lions combined for double-digit kills with sophomore Peter Russell (Ellicott City, Md.) leading the team with 2.83 kills per set. Redshirt freshman Nick Goodell (Ambridge, Pa.) averaged 2.60 kills per set, while freshman Aaron Russell (Ellicott City, Md.) had 2.00. Redshirt senior Edgardo Goas (San Juan, Puerto Rico) averaged 10.80 assists per set and guided four of his primary hitters to a .375 hitting percentage or better. Goodell led the team with 2.40 digs per set, while redshirt freshman Connor Curry (Newport Beach, Calif.) was second on the squad with 1.83. Aaron Russell was a wall at the net with 2.17 blocks per set.
For the weekend, Penn State hit .450 and averaged 13.17 kills per set, 11.50 assists per set, 1.83 aces per set, 8.00 digs per set and 3.58 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Rutgers-Newark
The Nittany Lions are 82-24-1 all-time versus the Scarlet Raiders. Last season Penn State faced Rutgers-Newark on three occasions, twice during the regular season and once in the EIVA Championship. Penn State defeated the Scarlet all three times, including in the EIVA Semifinals before moving on to win the EIVA Championship and earn a bid in the NCAA National Semifinals.
Scouting the Scarlet Raiders
Rutgers-Newark is 4-1 overall this season and 1-0 in EIVA play. The Scarlet Raiders opened the season with a 3-2 win at NYU before suffering a 3-0 setback to NJIT in the Golden Dome Invitational. The Scarlet Raiders have won three straight matches, beating Kean in five set, and both EIVA foe Sacred Heart and York (NY) in three sets.
Penn State vs. NJIT
Penn State owns a 28-1 record against the Highlanders. The teams last met in 2009 with Penn State winning both matches, 3-0.
Scouting the Highlanders
NJIT has compiled a 4-3 record so far this season. After starting out 0-3, the Highlanders have won their last four matches, including defeating Hunter (3-0), Rutgers-Newark (3-0), Lees-McRae (3-1) and NJCU (3-0). The Highlanders take on Saint Francis on Feb. 10 before visiting the Nittany Lions.
What's Next?
Penn State hits the road for a visit to EIVA foes Harvard and Sacred Heart on Feb. 17-18. The Lions take on Harvard at 7 p.m. om Feb. 17 and Sacred Heart at 8 p.m. on Feb. 18.
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.
The Penn State men's volleyball team is on Twitter. Follow @PSUVolleyball to get the inside scoop.