UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The No. 3 Penn State men's volleyball team gears up for a home-and-home series against traditional Big Ten rival Ohio State, starting with a trip to Columbus Tuesday evening to take on the No. 13 Buckeyes.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Penn State (13-3) at Ohio State (9-6)
Date: Tuesday, March 8
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Columbus, Ohio | Covelli Center
Watch: B1G+
Stats: Live Stats
Game Notes: Penn State Game Notes
MATCH NOTES AND INFORMATION
- Penn State bumped up one spot to third in this week's AVCA coaches poll, which is tied for its highest ranking in the 2021-22 season. The Nittany Lions ranked fourth in the latest Off the Block media poll as of Tuesday, March 1.
- Traditional Big Ten rivals, Penn State and Ohio State meet again in their storied rivalry. PSU leads the all-time series 76-39-1, including 3-of-4 wins in 2021. Both teams will meet again in a home-and-home at Rec Hall Sunday, March 13, for PSU's "Wear White" match.The Nittany Lions extended their win streak to nine in a row with its 3-0 sweep of Charleston last Friday in Rec Hall's South Gym. With the win, Penn State improved to 8-0 in EIVA play at the league's halfway point.
- PSU also improved to 8-0 at home with the victory.
- Senior setter Cole Bogner is putting together another MVP caliber season for the Nittany Lions. His 563 assists are 3rd most in the country and his 10.43 assists per set ranks 5th nationwide while PSU is hitting .323 as a team, 6th best in the country.
- Senior opposite Cal Fisher continues to dominate at the right pin for the Nittany Lions, leading the team with 190 kills, including 12 matches of double-digit kills. He also has 32 aces this season, which ranks 2nd in the nation, including 16 over the last six matches. He also leads the team with 1.98 digs per set.
- Senior outside hitter Brett Wildman has been integral in PSU's nine-match win streak with seven double-digit kill matches to average 12.55 kills per match. He has been excellent on the left pin and from the back row with 186 kills at a .337 clip. He is also second on the team with 18 service aces.
- Sophomore Toby Ezeonu's physical presence has taken over matches this season both offensively and defensively. Ezeonu has two matches with double-digit kills and no errors. Against Long Beach on Jan. 29, Ezeonu had a 16-kill and .941 H% night. He recorded 12 kills and had .750 H% against St. Francis Brooklyn on Feb. 25. Ezeonu is hitting .500 and has 0.85 blocks per set to lead Penn State.
- Senior middle blocker Sam Marsh has also had an impactful season both offensively and defensively with 77 kills, .385 H%, and 35 blocks. He was named AVCA National Player of the Week Jan. 18 after a 19-kill, .783 H% weekend vs. Grand Canyon, including a 12-12 start on his attacks.
- Redshirt senior libero Will Bantle is PSU's competitive heartbeat and defensive rock. One of the nation's best passers, he has a .985 serve-receive percentage (262-266) and 1.94 digs per set.
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.