University of Mount Olive fell to Division I No. 8 Penn State in straight sets Saturday night in University Park, Pa. for non-conference men's volleyball. Robert Poole led the Trojans with 10 kills on the night.
Mount Olive (3-2) in the first set had the set tied at three, but a four point rally by Penn State (6-2) pushed the Nittany Lions ahead by three. The Trojans kept the set under four points until a run by Penn State sealed the first set. Penn State up 15-13, went on a 7-1 run and the rally proved to be too much for the Trojans to come back from.
In the second set Mount Olive had a little bit of momentum as the Trojans down 4-3, used a 5-1 rally to take a 6-8 lead. The Trojan lead held for most of the set before Penn State came roaring back down 14-17. The Nittany Lions put together a 7-1 run that allowed them to regain the lead 21-19. Mount Olive tried to take the second set but Penn State ended on a 3-1 run to take to set.
In the final set Mount Olive was unable to obtain the lead. The Trojans did however keep the set close near the end. Mount Olive down 16-22 pushed for the lead with a 3-1 run. However, Penn State took the match as the Nittany Lions grabbed the final two points of the set and took the 3-0 victory.
Poole finished the match with a team high 10 kills and added two digs. Jeff Yasalonis also added 25 assists to the Trojans offense.
Mount Olive will remain on the road as the Trojans will travel to Wilson, N.C. to take on arch rival Barton College Wednesday February 10 at 7 p.m. in Wilson Gymnasium.