UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The No. 6 Penn State men’s volleyball looks to continue its outstanding start to the 2013 season this weekend when it hosts Pfeiffer and Mount Olive. Both matches are set for 7 p.m. with the Lions meeting the Falcons in the main gym of Rec Hall on Friday, Feb. 1 and the Trojans in the South Gym on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Nittany Lion Preview
The Nittany Lions continued their strong start to the 2013 season with three wins last week. Penn State defeated Loyola-Chicago (3-1), Sacred Heart (3-0) and Harvard (3-2). Junior Peter Russell (Ellicott City, Md.) and senior Tom Comfort (Orchard Park, N.Y.) each totaled 2.60 kills per set to lead the Lions offensively. Redshirt freshman Taylor Hammond (Mission Viejo, Calif.) guided the Nittany Lions to a .240 hitting percentage while averaging 9.40 assists per set. Redshirt sophomore Connor Curry (Newport Beach, Calif.) led Penn State with 2.64 digs per set and senior Nick Turko was powerful at the net with a team-best 1.00 blocks per set.
For the week across three matches, Penn State hit .240 and averaged 11.00 kills, 10.27 assists, 1.55 aces, 8.73 digs and 2.41 blocks per set.
Penn State vs. Pfeiffer
This is the first meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Falcons.
Scouting the Falcons
Pfeiffer is 5-1 so far in 2013. After opening their season with a 3-1 loss at Limestone, the Falcons went on to win five straight defeating Belmont Abbey twice, King, Rust and Barton. Top players to watch for include, outside hitters Caleb Brophy and Micah Bortner, setter David Specian, libero Mark Hess and middle blocker Fabio Diniz. After facing Penn State, the Falcons visit nearby Saint Francis on Feb. 2.
Penn State vs. Mount Olive
The Nittany Lions are 5-0 against the Trojans since 2005. In 2012, Penn State swept Mount Olive on Feb. 3 (25-20, 25-6, 25-12) at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions have never lost a set to the Trojans.
Scouting the Trojans
The Trojans opened the season winning four straight matches sweeping King, Quincy, Barton and Erskine. Despite a 3-1 loss to Ball State on Jan. 25, Mt. Olive has since defeated Lees-McRae (3-1) and Coker (3-0). The Trojans are led offensively by outside hitter Angel Dache, middle blocker Andreas Lengler, outside Adam Miracle and setter Ben Casado. Defensively, Miracle and libero Dan Arnold lead the team in digs, while middle blocker Richard Hesse has been Mt. Olive’s top presence at the net. Mount Olive visits Saint Francis before taking on the Nittany Lions.
What’s Next?
Penn State continues its home stand with matches against Saint Francis on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Ohio State on Feb. 9 at 8 p.m.