UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The fourth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team continues its first round of matches against EIVA opponents with a trip to Brooklyn and Newark against St. Francis Brooklyn and NJIT Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Penn State (10-3, 5-0 EIVA) at St. Francis Brooklyn (7-4, 3-3 EIVA)
Date: Friday, February 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Watch: NEC Front Row
Stats: Live Stats
Penn State vs. NJIT (7-3, 3-1 EIVA)
Date: Saturday, February 26
Time 7 p.m.
Watch: ESPN+
Stats: Live Stats
MATCH NOTES AND INFORMATION
- Penn State maintained its No. 4 ranking in both the AVCA coaches poll and Off the Block media poll this week, marking the third-straight week the Nittany Lions have been ranked fourth.
- The Nittany Lions have started off their EIVA schedule with a perfect set score, winning 15-of-15 sets played. PSU took down Saint Francis last Saturday in a battle of the two league unbeatens at the time.
- Senior setter Cole Bogner was picked EIVA Offensive Player of the Week and Off the Block National Setter of the Week for his 41-assist effort last Saturday. He helped Penn State hit .500 for the match, Penn State's season-best hitting percentage in a match. His 455 assists are 3rd most in the country and his 10.55 assists per set ranks 5th nationwide.
- Senior opposite Cal Fisher continues to dominate at the right pin for the Nittany Lions, leading the team with 162 kills, including 10 matches of double-digit kills. He also has 24 aces this season, including eight over the last three matches.
- Senior outside hitter Brett Wildman has been excellent on the left pin and from the back row with 150 kills at a .348 clip. During Penn State's six-match win streak, he is averaging 13.2 kills per match. He is also second on the team with 14 service aces.
- PSU's middle-blocker duo of Toby Ezeonu and Sam Marsh have been impactful both offensively and defensively. Ezeonu's physical presence has taken over matches, namely his 16-kil .941 H% night at Long Beach Jan. 29. Ezeonu is hitting .477 to lead Penn State, with Marsh close behind at .398. The duo has combined for 146 kills and 57.0 blocks.
- Head coach Mark Pavlik became the fifth coach in men's volleyball history to reach 600 career wins March 27, 2021 vs. SHU. His 612 wins are the most among active DI-II men's coaches.
- This will be the first match with new assistant coach Pat Shawaryn on the bench. Shawaryn was announced as an additional to the Nittany Lion staff on Monday, joining Pavlik, associate head coach Colin McMillan, and volunteer assistant coach Shawn Ganter.
- The Nittany Lions head on the road for a two-match weekend at Saint Francis Brooklyn and NJIT Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26. The Nittany Lions are the only remaining undefeated team in EIVA play this season entering the weekend at 5-0.
- PSU and SFB's match is the first ever between the two programs. PSU is 48-2 all-time against the Highlanders, including a 3-1 mark in the 2021 season, with two of those wins being 3-0 sweeps in Newark.
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.