OWING MILLS, Md. – Penn State seniors Will Bantle and Cal Fisher were crowned champions of the inaugural USA Volleyball Men's Collegiate Beach Challenge hosted by Stevenson University Sept. 10-12.
The Nittany Lion duo navigated a field that included 33 total doubles teams to win the tournament that included six groups in pool play and a 16-team elimination bracket.
SURVIVE AND CONQUER! 🥇🏆#WeAre pic.twitter.com/OOSonkB1OH
— Penn State Men's Volleyball (@PennStateMVBALL) September 12, 2021
And that does it! Will Bantle and Cal Fisher of @PennStateMVBALL win the inaugural USA Volleyball Men's Collegiate Beach Challenge! pic.twitter.com/Rbx37wo2wW
— USAV Beach (@USAVBeach) September 12, 2021
The challenge was developed by USA Volleyball to create another creative competitive environment for collegiate men's volleyball players within the National Team Development Program. Top finishers will have an opportunity to be invited to future NDTP events according to USA Volleyball.
Both Bantle and Fisher spent time this summer with USA Volleyball at USA Volleyball NDTP Training Camp in late July-early August in Anaheim with fellow teammates Brett Wildman and Cole Bogner.
The Nittany Lions had one other pair compete at the Beach Challenge in sophomore Michael Valenzi and freshman Ryan Merk.
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.