UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State men's volleyball plays its second and third matches of the week with road conference games at Harvard and Sacred Heart Friday and Saturday.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Penn State (10-12, 6-2 EIVA) vs. Harvard (6-10, 5-3 EIVA)
Date: Friday, March 29
Time: 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+ (U.S.) | Harvard Stretch Internet (Int'l)
Stats: Live Statistics
Penn State vs. Sacred Heart (3-11, 1-7 EIVA)
Date: Saturday, March 30
Time: 5 p.m.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Stats: Live Statistics
Weekend Game Notes: Penn State Game Notes
OPENING SERVE
Penn State took down both the Crimson and the Pioneers back in mid-February in straight sets. The Nittany Lions nearly doubled Harvard's kill count (47-25) to blow past them in Friday's match. Against SHU the next night, PSU used big advantages at the service line (8 aces) and the net (8 team blocks) to sweep the Pioneers.
The Nittany Lions are coming off back-to-back sweeps on their home court, including winning a pivotal conference match this past Tuesday against Saint Francis. Penn State's depth was on display against Red Flash as multiple players contributed in spurts throughout the evening.
Harvard has also won its last two matches against EIVA foes NJIT and Sacred Heart but have played only those two matches since February 23. The Crimson's offense is power by underclassmen Griffin Schmit (136 kills), Campbell Schoenfeld (134), and Eric Li (108).
Sacred Heart snapped a four-game skid with a three-set win over Kean March 21 on its home court. Graduate student Emerson Waumans is the Pioneers' lone player with triple digit kills at 146.
ALL-TIME SERIES
The Nittany Lions are 17-3 against the Crimson since their first matchup back in 2000. The Nittany Lions snapped a brief two-game losing skid to Harvard with their three-set win in February.
Penn State has also dominated its series against Sacred Heart with 15 wins in 17 matches against the Pioneers. PSU's three-set sweep earlier this season is their lone sweep against SHU during their current three-match win streak.
DEPTH FOR DAYS
Penn State's depth has played a critical role in its last two matches to lead the team to a pair of 3-0 sweeps. Five different Nittany Lions had at least seven kills in one or both of Penn State's matches, led by Matthew McLaren with 10 on both nights.
Both Cole Bogner and Luke Braswell had effective playing time at setter and multiple Nittany Lions played their part in stalling two high-powered offenses, led by Henrik Falck Lauten's 16 digs over both games.
This season, Penn State has had six different players register 10+ kill games and 10 Nittany Lions have had three or more blocks in a match.
NEXT UP
Penn State returns home for its final pair of home matches this season April 5-6 against Charleston (W.V.) and George Mason. Penn State's seniors will be honored in Saturday's match.
For more information on Penn State men's volleyball, follow the Nittany Lions on Twitter @PennStateMVBALL and Instagram @pennstatemvball and "like" the Penn State men's volleyball page on Facebook.
