Penn State men’s volleyball Ryan Merk was named EIVA’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. This comes after the libero went 36-for-36 in serves received, tallied nine digs, and 2.57 digs per set during Penn State’s wins over Mount Olive and Manhattan. This is the fifth time in Merk’s career that he was named EIVA’s Defensive Player of the Week.

Penn State’s Sean Harvey was named EIVA’s Offensive Player of the Week after recording 27 kills, four blocks, five digs, and one ace during the blue and white’s victories last weekend. This was the first time in his career that Harvey was named EIVA’s Offensive Player of the Week. Due to Merk’s and Harvey’s great performances, the Nittany Lions started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2024 after they started 0-7 last season.

The Nittany Lions will look to extend their unbeaten start this weekend when they take on St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday, January 15, and Lewis on Saturday, January 17. Both matches will be played at 7 p.m. at Rec Hall.