May 2, 2017
LEXINGTON, Ky. - Senior Chris Nugent and Redshirt-Freshman Calvin Mende have been named AVCA All-Americans, as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).
Nugent was named Second-Team All-American while Mende earned Honorable Mention All-American honors.
Nugent led the Nittany Lions in kills (313), kills per set (3.26) and was second on the team in aces (24). In the national standings, his 3.26 kills per set ranks 27th and his 3.73 points per set ranks 32nd. In addition to earning AVCA Second-Team All-American honors, Nugent was selected First-Team All-EIVA; the All-America nod is the second career AVCA postseason honor for the Fair Lawn, N.J. native.
Mende, in just his first year on the court for the Blue & White, finished second on the team in kills (307) and kills per set (3.23) trailing only Nugent.
Mende's Honorable Mention marks the first All-America honor of his career. Garnering his first career All-EIVA award with a First-Team selection earlier this season. Mende helped the Nittany Lions to a 21-10 overall record this season, including a 11-3 mark in the EIVA as they captured the regular season and tournament championships on their home court in Rec Hall.
Mende marks the first honorable mention selection for PSU since last season, when Chris Nugent earned the distinction. The merit improves Penn State's total number of AVCA All-Americans to 84 since 1971.
Penn State won the 2017 regular season EIVA championship for the 19th-consecutive year this season and captured the Tournament Championship for the 30th time just a short few weeks ago with a 3-0 win over Saint Francis (Pa.)
To view the complete list of 2017 AVCA All-Americans, please click here.