Feb. 15, 2015
By Tyler Feldman, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's volleyball team used nine acrobatic digs from redshirt senior libero Connor Curry as the Nittany Lions (4-7, 2-0 EIVA) swept conference foe George Mason (2-7, 0-1 EIVA) in straight sets (26-24, 26-24, 25-18) Saturday night at the South Gym at Rec Hall.
"I thought our ball control was really the key tonight," said head coach Mark Pavlik. "Connor and the passers kept us in system really well, especially in the first game when you kind of get a feel for how they're serving."
Penn State's veteran players led by example in the opening set, pushing the Blue and White to a competitive win, 26-24. Redshirt senior Nick Goodell compiled eight kills on a .636 hitting percentage and senior Aaron Russell had three timely kills and a ferocious set-winning solo block to aid the Nittany Lions in the first frame.
"It all starts with Connor and the passers.... If Taylor keeps giving me the ball, I like my chances," said Goodell.
Taylor Hammond added 14 helpers in that first set; a frame Pavlik described as a momentum changer in the match.
"They have some guys who can bring some heat," said Pavlik. "Early on, I think we figured them out, and after that, I think it was really a tribute to our passers. I thought they did a great job. I thought we got some great swings in transition."
Pavlik, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the Penn State men's volleyball program, has stressed lately the importance of strong play from his players when his team reaches the 20-point mark in a set.
Well, another battle ensued in the second frame, and thanks to seven more kills from the 6-foot-9 Russell, who finished the match with 17 total kills, the Blue and White managed to pull out the 26-24 triumph.
Penn State trailed, 24-23, when a Russell swing forced a George Mason hitting error and tied things up at 24. Then a Hammond service ace pushed the Nittany Lions ahead, 25-24. A pulverizing swing and subsequent kill near the right antenna from Russell provided the Blue and White the two sets to none advantage.
"Once we reach 20, just to take care of business," said Goodell. "Five points and out. So I think that really proved this week. That's what we've been working on in drills. I think that's what paid off."
Late in the third set a Matt Callaway solo block put the Nittany Lions up 19-16, firing up the entire South Gym at Rec Hall. The Blue and White would never look back, sweeping the Patriots in straight sets after taking the third frame, 25-18.
Defensively the Nittany Lions were stifling, holding the Patriots to a lowly .136 hitting percentage, while digging 33 George Mason swings.
Offensively the Blue and White dominated, out-killing the Green and Gold, 46-28, and out-assisting, 43-27.
According to Curry, the positive change in play was just a matter of a few points.
"Just a few points here or there," said Curry. "I mean that's really what it comes down to in the end. Volleyball is a game of errors, and like we said, we've been working on, when we get to 20-20, to be the team with the least few errors. I think that was the case tonight. We put the ball away."
Now the Nittany Lions get set to embark on a seven-game road trip, starting with Lewis next Friday, February 20. First serve is set for 8 p.m.