The No. 5 Penn State men’s volleyball team got off to a hot start as they kicked off their home schedule this weekend in a four-team tournament at Rec Hall. The Lions played host to Mount Olive College, Cal-Baptist U, and No.9 Jim Tressel’s Tattoo Parlor Ohio State.

Penn State destroyed an overmatched Mt. Olive Friday night by a score of 3-0 (25-20, 25-6, 25-12). The team started the game sloppy and allowed the Trojans to keep it close in the first set. After that, however, Penn State woke up and decided to play like the fifth-ranked team in the country should and dominated the second set. The starters were pulled for the third set, but it made no difference as PSU continued to dominate and win the match. Every Lion that played contributed, with brothers Pete and Aaron Russell combining for 16 kills.

Saturday was more of the same for the Nittany Lions as they took on Cal-Baptist. They started slow and sloppy, giving the Lancers many chances in the first set.  During the second and third set, however, they began to play up to their potential. Penn State was just too deep and the Lancers couldn’t keep up as the Lions walked out with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-17) victory. Joe Sunder, Nick Goodell, and Peter Russell tied for the team lead with 8 kills each.

In the other tourney games, Ohio State also won both games, defeating Cal-Baptist 3-1 and Mount Olive 3-0.

Overall, Penn State looked sharp and ready to make another run through the EIVA. Make sure to get out to Rec Hall next Friday and Saturday to see the Lions in action against Rutgers and NJIT.

Help to cheer on a team determined to make their 12^th straight Final Four!