March 22, 2012
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The eighth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team (14-3, 7-0 EIVA) is back in action this weekend when it visits conference foes NJIT and Rutgers-Newark. The Nittany Lions face NJIT on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. and visit Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions are now 14-3 overall and remain undefeated in EIVA action at 7-0. Penn State most recently defeated Saint Francis, 3-0, on March 17.
Redshirt senior Joe Sunder (Greensburg, Pa.) led the Lions with 13 kills, while freshman Aaron Russell (Ellicott City, Md.) tallied eight kills in eight errorless swings. Redshirt senior Edgardo Goas (San Juan, Puerto Rico) dished out 31 assists and junior Nick Turko (Lewisberry, Pa.) had a team-best four aces. Sunder led the team in digs with four, while Turko had a team-high four total blocks.
In the match Penn State hit .315 and averaged 12.33 kills per set, 11.00 assists per set, 3.00 aces per set, 6.67 digs per set and 2.33 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. NJIT
The Nittany Lions are 29-1 all-time against NJIT. The Lions and Highlanders have met previously this season at Rec Hall on Feb. 11. The Nittany Lions earned a 3-0 victory. Prior to 2011, the squads last met in 2009 with Penn State sweeping NJIT on both occasions.
Last three meetings:
2/11/12, H W, 25-15, 25-15, 25-23
4/4/09, A W, 30-17, 30-20, 30-10
2/28/09, H W, 30-16, 30-17, 30-19
Scouting the Highlanders
NJIT is 8-11 overall and 3-2 in the EIVA. The Highlanders have won two of their last six matches, including defeating King, 3-2, and Princeton, 3-1. The Highlanders suffered two losses to IPFW and Lees-McRae.
Penn State vs. Rutgers-Newark
Penn State owns an 83-24-1 record against the Scarlet Raiders. Earlier this season, the Nittany Lions hosted Rutgers-Newark at Rec Hall on Feb. 10 earning a 3-0 win. Prior to the February meeting, the Nittany Lions hosted the Scarlet Raiders in the EIVA Semifinals where they earned a 3-1 win to advance to the EIVA Championship match.
Last three meetings:
2/10/12, H W, 25-17, 25-14, 25-19
4/28/11, H W, 25-14, 16-25, 25-16, 25-19
3/26/11, A W, 25-22, 25-22, 28-26
Scouting the Scarlet Raiders
Rutgers-Newark is 8-8 overall this season and 1-5 in EIVA action. The Scarlet Raiders have won three of their last five matches, including defeating SUNYIT, Mount St. Vincent and New Jersey City. Rutgers-Newark lone conference win came against Sacred Heart on Feb. 2.
What's Next?
The Nittany Lions remain on the road to finish out their seven-match road trip with visits to Princeton and George Mason on March 30-31. Penn State returns home on April 6-7 to host Sacred Heart and Harvard.
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.