Penn State shipped down to D.C. to take on EIVA rival George Mason for the second time this season, and for the second time came away with a sweep (25-19, 25-22, 25-13). The win was the Lions’ ninth-straight, and after an early-season slump, No. 7 Penn State is catching fire at the right time of the season.

How It Happened

The Nittany Lions came out flying with a 12-6 lead in the first set and never looked back. They never trailed in the set, and the closest score was 16-14. An Aaron Russell kill ended the set as his team took the lead in the match 1-0.

Set two was the closest of the night, as the Patriots led until the 15-15 mark. Penn State won the next point and started rolling as it headed to the intermission after a 25-22 set win.

Penn State, knowing victory was within its grasp, buried George Mason in the third. After the first few points, the set was at its closest when the Nittany Lions led 11-7. A 14-6 run for the away team sent them to the buses smiling having casually swept the Patriots.

Player of the Match

Aaron Russell. The senior outside hitter led Penn State with 15 kills and was second with a .700 hitting percentage. Setter Taylor Hammond also had himself a day, as he helped his team’s offense fire on all cylinders with his 38 assists.

Takeaways

• After starting the season with a six-game losing streak, Penn State has won 13 out of 16, including nine in a row. With five matches remaining before postseason play, the Lions are getting hot when they need to.
• While the score was close from time to time, and especially in the second set, Penn State never looked in trouble. It swept George Mason in their first meeting this season, and Penn State confidently finished off sets in this one when it needed to.
• With the win, Penn State remains unbeaten in conference play. Its entire remaining schedule is against conference opponents, so the Nittany Lions have put themselves in a good position.

What’s Next?

Next Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11, EIVA rivals Harvard and Sacred Heart will be traveling to University Park to take on Penn State.