UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 8 Penn State men's volleyball team hosts its first EIVA Tournament since 2017 this Thursday and Saturday, April 22 and 24. The Nittany Lions will face Saint Francis in the second semifinal match of the day on Thursday at 7:30, following George Mason and NJIT at 4:30.
EIVA TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
Get an overview of the entire EIVA semifinals and championship rounds by checking out 2021 EIVA Tournament Central. This page includes information on all four teams, links to this year's digital tournament program, live stream and stats information, as well as results.
EIVA Tournament Program
Scan the QR Code below or click the following link to view the digital 2021 EIVA Tournament program.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
#4 Saint Francis (8-18, 8-12 EIVA) vs. #1 Penn State (19-3, 16-2 EIVA)
Date: Thursday, April 22
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Video: B1G+ (Free access)
Stats: Live Stats
Game Notes: Penn State Game Notes
THE MATCHUP
Penn State leads the all-time series against their Pennsylvania rival 47-3, including two wins this season at Rec Hall Feb. 4 & 6.
PSU holds a 3-1 record against the Red Flash in postseason play, with their latest match being exactly four years ago on Thursday. The Nittany Lions beat SFU 3-0 on April 22, 2017 to win the EIVA championship, marking Penn State's last conference title and NCAA Tournament appearance.
PENN STATE NATIONALLY
The Nittany Lions are tied for the most wins in the country with No. 4 Lewis at 19 wins and rank among the nation's best in several team categories:
Total team aces: T-1st with 151 (Tied with Saint Francis)
Aces per set: 2nd at 2.07 (Daemen, 2.44)
Opponent hitting percentage: 3rd at .185
Team hitting percentage: 6th at .325
ALL-EIVA ACCOLADES
Penn State had six student-athletes be named to the All-EIVA team in 2021, including four first-team winners, one second-team recipient, and one honorable mention.
Junior setter Cole Bogner became 15th different Nittany Lion, the 20th overall, and the second PSU setter (Jose Quinones, 2000, 01, 02) to win EIVA Player of the Year in 2021. He was joined by Will Bantle, Cal Fisher, and Brett Wildman on the All-EIVA First Team.
Freshman Michael Valenzi was chosen the EIVA Freshman of the Year and was chosen to the All-EIVA Second Team. Junior Sam Marsh was an All-EIVA Honorable Mention.
FLYING FISH
Cal Fisher has 51 service aces to lead the NCAA entering the weekend by 14 total aces. His 51 aces also ranks T-6th in a single season by a Nittany Lion (Will Price, 2009).
1. Max Holt, 79 aces, 2009
2. Aaron Russell, 71, 2014
3. Russell, 62, 2015
4. Holt, 55, 2007
5. Jalen Penrose, 54, 2018
T6. Fisher and Price, 51, 2021 and 2009
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Penn State is searching for its first EIVA Tournament title since 2017 and its 32nd title in program history this weekend. The winner of PSU-SFU Thursday night will play the winner of the preceding match between NJIT and George Mason Saturday.
The EIVA Tournament champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament hosted by Ohio State in Columbus May 3-8.
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.
