March 2, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The sixth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team (12-1, 6-0 EIVA) is back in action at home in Rec Hall on Saturday, March 3 at 7 p.m. The Nittany Lions host ninth-ranked Ohio State.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions improved to 12-1 overall this season and 6-0 in EIVA play with 3-0 sweeps of Princeton and George Mason on Feb. 24-25.
Redshirt freshman Nick Goodell led the team with 4.60 kills per set, while redshirt senior Joe Sunder averaged 3.83. Redshirt senior Edgardo Goas averaged 11.17 assists per set, and also led the team with 0.67 aces per set and 2.33 digs per set. Sunder was second on the team with 1.50 digs per set and redshirt freshman Connor Curry averaged 1.33. Freshman Aaron Russell was a wall at the net with team-best 1.00 blocks per set.
For the weekend, Penn State hit .389 and averaged 13.83 kills per set, 12.33 assists per set, 2.00 aces per set, 7.50 digs per set and 2.33 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Ohio State
The Nittany Lions are 66-25-1 all-time versus the Buckeyes. The squads have already met once this year on Jan. 14 in Columbus for Penn State's season opener. The Nittany Lions earned a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-17) victory against Ohio State. Previously, Penn State last met the Buckeyes in the 2011 NCAA National Semifinals at home in Rec Hall. The Buckeyes, who went on to win the 2011 NCAA Championship, defeated the Lions, 3-1 (25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 25-23).
Last five meetings:
1/14/12, A - W, 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 25-16)
5/5/11, H - L, 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 22-25, 23-25)
4/10/11, H - W, 3-1 (25-21, 18-25, 25-19, 25-9)
2/9/11, A - L, 3-0 (18-25, 16-25, 23-25)
3/21/10, H - L, 3-1 (25-30, 30-20, 27-30, 23-30)
Scouting the Buckeyes
No. 9 Ohio State is 12-5 overall and 3-1 in MIVA play. The Buckeyes are also 3-1 on the road. This weekend is Ohio State's second trip to Penn State, as the Buckeyes visiting the Nittany Lions on Feb. 3-4 for an invitational with Cal-Baptist and Mount Olive. The Buckeyes have won six of their last seven matches, including defeating nationally-ranked Loyola, 3-0, on Feb. 25. Ohio State's most recent loss came at nationally-ranked Lewis on Feb. 23.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions embark on a seven-match road trip beginning with a trip to Pepperdine and USC on March 8-9. Penn State returns to the east coast for a March 17 meeting with Saint Francis before traveling to NJIT and Rutgers-Newark on March 23-24.
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.
Penn State men's volleyball is on Twitter. Follow @PSUVolleyball to get the inside scoop.