PRINCETON, N.J. – The Penn State men's volleyball team begins its 2019 postseason with an EIVA semifinal matchup against George Mason Thursday evening, April 18 at Princeton's Dillon Gymnasium.
The third-ranked Nittany Lions face the third-ranked Patriots with a chance to play for the EIVA Tournament championship Saturday evening against the winner of #4 Saint Francis and top-ranked host Princeton, who will play their match following PSU-GMU Thursday night.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
EIVA Semifinal Round
#3 Penn State (14-14, 10-4 EIVA) vs. #2 George Mason (17-8, 10-4)
Date: Thursday, April 18
Time: 5 p.m.
Place: Dillon Gymnasium | Princeton University
Tickets: EIVA Tournament Tickets
Video Stream: FloVolleyball (Subscription required)
Statistics: EIVA Tournament Live Statistics
EIVA Championship Match
Winner of Penn State/George Mason vs. Winner of St. Francis/Princeton
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Dillon Gymnasium | Princeton University
Tickets: EIVA Tournament Tickets
Video Stream: FloVolleyball (Subscription required)
Statistics: EIVA Tournament Live Statistics
Tournament Game Notes: Penn State Game Notes
OPENING SERVE
Penn State faces a tough test in its opening match with its third matchup against George Mason this season. The Patriots came out on top in both regular season meetings in 2019 in straight sets. The Nittany Lions have gotten the best of the Patriots in postseason matchups with an 8-0 record in the EIVA Tournament against GMU since rally scoring was implemented in 2001.
The Nittany Lions have won six of their last eight matches entering the tournament play and are making a familiar trip to Princeton having played in New Jersey last weekend.
As for their record against opponents in the other semifinal match, the Nittany Lions also dropped a pair of matches to host Princeton during the regular season while sweeping Saint Francis in that regular season series.
George Mason enters the tournament with a three-match win streak, including its late season win over Penn State at Rec Hall. Princeton is the hottest team of the bunch with five-straight wins coming into tournament play. Saint Francis dropped its last two matches to Princeton and NJIT.
EIVA TOURNAMENT ALL-TIME
Penn State has been the championship standard in the EIVA for its entire history with 31 total conference tournament titles dating back to 1981. The Nittany Lions have a 95-16 record in the EIVA postseason all-time and a 53-3 mark when led by head coach Mark Pavlik.
ALL-EIVA PERFORMERS
Five Nittany Lions were recognized by the EIVA for their outstanding individual play this season. Jason Donorovich won his first All-EIVA First Team award, while teammate Henrik Falck Lauten was named the EIVA Newcomer of the Year and an All-EIVA Second Team member.
Joining Falck Lauten on the All-EIVA Second Team were 2018 First Team member Matthew McLaren and fellow first-year starter Will Bantle. Brett Wildman was also named and All-EIVA Honorable Mention.
The five Nittany Lions receiving end of season conference awards are the most for Penn State since they had six award winners in 2014.
