Trojans Fall To Penn State In Three Sets

Trojans Fall To Penn State In Three Sets

University Park, Pa. --- The University of Mount Olive men's volleyball team dropped a three-set match to Division One Penn State, 25-16, 25-18, 25-19, on Friday night in University Park, Pa.

GAME INFORMATION

Score: Penn State 3, Mount Olive 0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-19)
Records: Mount Olive (3-4, 2-0 CC), Penn State (4-4, 0-0 EIVA)
Location: Rec Hall, University Park, Pa.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play 

FIRST SET

  • UMO found itself in a hole early on as Penn State opened the contest with a 6-0 run that prompted a Trojan timeout.
  • The Trojans inched themselves back into the opening set as a 4-2 run for Mount Olive trimmed the Nittany Lions' advantage to seven at 14-7.
  • Making a late-set surge, UMO got within five at 20-15, but PSU returned the favor with a 5-1 run to give the Nittany Lions a 25-16 first set win.

SECOND SET

  • Mount Olive kept pace with PSU through the first 11 points as the Trojans trailed by just a point at 6-5.
  • Penn State increased its lead to four at 12-8, but UMO had an answer, cutting the Nittany Lions' advantage to just two at 13-11.
  • A 4-0 PSU run proved to be the difference in the set, as Penn State ran out to a 20-13 lead in route to the 25-18 set victory.

THIRD SET

  • After PSU jumped out to a 3-0 lead, UMO matched Penn State point-for-point over the next 16 points as the Trojans trailed 11-8
  • UMO cut its deficit to just one point at 11-10 after a three-point run featuring a kill by junior Jeff Yasalonis.
  • Penn State took a 15-12 lead and looked to be taking control of the third frame, but UMO once again had an answer, winning back-to-back points and cutting the Nittany Lions' lead to 15-14.
  • In the final 15 points of the set, PSU sprinted away with a 10-5 run to earn the 25-19 set win and the three-set match victory.

KEY STATS

  • Junior Bret Rutledge led the Trojans with 12 kills and a .320 hitting percentage.
  • Yasalonis tallied 25 assists and four digs in the match.
  • Leading UMO in digs was junior Kian Hollevoet who recorded six digs.
  • UMO hit .190 in the match to Penn State's .422.

Up Next

Mount Olive returns to North Carolina for its home-opener against Emmanuel (Ga.) on February 3 at 7 p.m. in Kornegay Arena.