UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- No. 9 Penn State Men's Volleyball travels to the University of Charleston for a pair of EIVA matches this week. The teams take the court at the Wehrle Innovation Center on Friday at 7 p.m., and then again on Saturday at 3 p.m.
The Nittany Lions, who hold an overall record of 17-6, are unbeaten in the EIVA at 6-0 and hold a two-match lead over George Mason in the standings with four to play. The Golden Eagles are 11-12 overall and 2-4 in the conference.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
#9 Pen State (17-6, 6-0 EIVA) at Charleston (11-12, 2-4 EIVA)
Match One
Date: Friday, April 5
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Wehrle Innovation Center (Charleston, W.Va.)
Live Stream: MEC TV
Live Stats: UCGoldenEagles.com
Match Two
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Wehrle Innovation Center (Charleston, W.Va.)
Live Stream: MEC TV
Live Stats: UCGoldenEagles.com
SERIES HISTORY
- Penn State and Charleston will meet for the 18th and 19th time. The teams first played in 2016 when the Golden Eagles joined the EIVA.
- The Nittany Lions are unbeaten at 17-0 in the all-times series. They have lost just two sets in those 17 matches.
- Penn State is 7-0 in road matches vs. Charleston.
- Toby Ezeonu has been nearly unstoppable in his seven career matches against Charleston, hitting .695 while averaging 2.00 kills/set.
SCOUTING CHARLESTON
- Charleston is 11-12 overall and 2-4 in the EIVA after splitting two matches with NJIT.
- The Golden Eagles were picked fifth in the EIVA Preseason Coaches Poll.
- Garret Schnitker, a 6-6 right side hitter, was a second-team All-EIVA selection last season. Libero Curtis Raines was an honorable mention honoree.
- Schnitker ranks second in the conference in points/set (4.14) and kills/set (3.76).
EIVA WINNING STREAK
- Penn State has won 34 consecutive EIVA regular season matches.
- The Nittany Lions' last EIVA regular season loss came at George Mason on April 3, 2022.
- The streak includes six wins each over Charleston, Harvard, NJIT and Princeton, four over George Mason, and two each over Sacred Heart, Saint Francis and St. Francis Brooklyn.
WEEKLY AWARDS
- Penn State players have combined to win one AVCA National Collegiate Player of the Week award (John Kerr), five EIVA Offensive Player of the Week honors (John Kerr 2x, Michael Valenzi, Michal Kowal, Toby Ezeonu), two EIVA Defensive Player of the Week accolades (Toby Ezeonu, Ryan Merk), one Off the Block National Libero of the Week award (Ryan Merk), and two Off the Block National Middle of the Week honors (Toby Ezeonu 2x).
UP NEXT
- Penn State goes on the road for two matches at George Mason on April 12-13.
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.