Jan. 21, 2016
| PENN STATE vs. BALL STATE | | Rec Hall | University Park, Pa. | | Thursday, Jan. 22 - 7:00 p.m. ET | | LIVE video | | | Notes: Penn State | Ball State | | PENN STATE vs. IPFW | | Saturday, Jan. 23 - 7:00 p.m. ET | | LIVE Video | | | Notes: Penn State | IPFW |
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Rec Hall | University Park, Pa.
Bag Policy - Parking |
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No. 10 Penn State men's volleyball (2-2) returns home for the first matches in Rec Hall since hosting the PAC-12/Big Ten Challenge. The Nittany Lions take on No. 14 Ball State (3-1) Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. ET, before welcoming IPFW (2-2) to University Park for a match Saturday, Jan. 23 with a first whistle slated for 7 p.m. ET.
QUICK SETS
* Through four games this season, junior Chris Nugent leads the team with 63 kills on 133 attempts hitting .233 on the year followed closely by Jalen Penrose's 57 kills on 119 attempts hitting .193 on the season. Taylor Hammond leads the NIttany Lions with 162 assist, averaging 10.80 a set, while Royce Clemens leads the team with 36 digs. Redshirt Junior and Team Captain Matt Callaway has recorded 20 total blocks this season averaging 1.25 per set this season.
* Penn State is currently second in the EIVA with a 2-2 record in non-conference play, closely followed by Harvard at 2-3 on the season. George Mason is currently leading the EIVA with a record of 1-0 in conference play following a straight set win over Charleston (W.V.) on January 16.
CHAMPIONS OF THE EIVA
Prior to Friday's match, Penn State men's volleyball will take a moment to recognize capturing their 17th consecutive EIVA Championship during the 2015 season. The Nittany Lions finished the season with a record of 21-10 following their 20th consecutive appearance in the NCAA semi-finals under coach Mark Pavlik. Penn State finished the 2015 season with a record of 12-0 in EIVA play.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE COMPETITION
The Nittany Lions welcome Ball State to University Park leading 61-22 advantage in the all-time series against the Cardinals. Last season, PSU fell to Ball State in five sets on the road. Penn State's last win against the Ball State was April 1, 2010 in a five set match.
Penn State holds a 42-15 lead in the all-time series against IPFW. The Nittany Lions swept the Mastodons during their last visit to Rec Hall on January 17, 2014.
AVCA DI-II COACHES' POLL UPDATE: WEEK TWO
Penn State held steady at No. 10 in the AVCA DI-II Coaches Poll, after opening the season ranked No. 10. Presently, the Nittany Lions are set to square off a total of nine teams featured in the poll including eight teams ranked within the top 15 and two receiving votes. Having already taken on No. 5 UCLA, No. 12 USC, No. 6 Loyola, and No. 9 Lewis, the Nittany Lions have seen or will see a total of eight more teams from the poll.
WHAT'S NEXT?
Penn State will visit Loretto, Pa. January 30 for their first conference match of the year against the Saint Francis Red Flash in Degol Arena with a match start time set for 7 p.m.
