Dec. 9, 2015
- AVCA Top-15 Coaches Poll
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State men's volleyball team debuts in the 2016 AVCA Division I-II Preseason Coaches Poll at No. 10. The Nittany Lions face eight teams in 2016 that are ranked in this year's preseason poll.
"I believe it will be a very competitive season," said head coach Mark Pavlik. "There is no doubt in my mind that regardless of the preseason ranking every opponent will be ready to play. We have to keep the final game in mind, and that is the final weekend here in Rec Hall as Penn State host the 2016 the NCAA men's volleyball Championships!"
Penn State opens the season hosting Ohio State UCLA and USC Jan. 7-8 in a four team tournament in Rec Hall. The Lions face No. 12 USC (Jan. 7), and No. 5 UCLA (Jan. 8) to open up the 2016 season.
Penn State plays 18 home matches in the confines of Rec Hall in 2016, including 11 straight from Feb. 19-Mar. 26. The Nittany Lions take on each EIVA opponent, including Sacred Heart, Harvard, Saint Francis, George Mason, Princeton, Charleston (W.V.) and NJIT twice during the regular season. Penn State also has a home and away series with the Buckeyes.
In addition, Penn State scheduled matches with defending national champions Loyola (Jan. 14, March, 26), Lewis (Jan. 16, March 25), Ball State (Jan. 22), IPFW (Jan. 23), Mount Olive (Feb. 6), Cal State Northridge (March 4), Long Beach State (March 5), and UC Irvine (March 21).
Penn State, which closed out 2015 ranked fourth in the nation, returns nine letterwinners and three starters from the 2015 squad that made its 17th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament . The Nittany Lions also welcome the addition of four newcomers for the 2016 season.
For more on Penn State men's volleyball, log onto www.GoPSUsports.com or follow the team on Twitter @PennStateMVBALL.