Penn State avoids upset at Saint Francis
The Nittany Lions traveled to St. Francis University in Loretto, Pa. Saturday night to take on the unranked Red Flash.
The third ranked Nittany Lions came into the game fresh off wins against UCLA and USC, both top ten ranked teams.
In a series that dates back all the way to 1994, this Penn State squad came in with history in their favor. The Nittany Lions came into the game with a 50-3 series lead against the Red Flash.
Service errors was one of the biggest storylines in the game as it was how most of the first points of the game were scored. Both sides struggled to send their serves across the net resulting in a close first set.
Ultimately it was St. Francis claiming the first set, 25-22 as they came out with aggressive gameplay that seemed to take Penn State by surprise. This was the Red Flash’s first set win in over a year after being swept by the Nittany Lions last season.
The second set was much like the first in that service errors defined the set and kept the game within five points at all times. The Red Flash ultimately made a small comeback in the second set and a service error from Toby Ezeonu gave Saint Francis the 25 needed to win the set.
The third set saw the tide turn in the match. Penn State began to pull away at some points in the set and at one point led by five. The Nittany Lions pulled off the win in this set, avoiding the sweep by Saint Francis.
From here the Nittany Lions didn’t look back and took their momentum into the fourth set to tie the match and force a fifth set. With help from John Kerr and Toby Ezeonu, the Nittany Lions stormed through the fifth set to win by their largest margin of the match by five points.
Some stars from the game included Cole Bogner and Ryan Merk. Bogner recorded a huge double-double in the blue and white’s reverse sweep and led the Nittany Lions in their comeback.
Ryan Merk was another star of the game for Penn State. Merk, the libero, recorded 11 digs and was instrumental in bringing the Nittany Lions back from the metaphorical hole they dug in the first part of the match.
Penn State next plays Princeton to open up EIVA play. The third ranked Nittany Lions take them on at home in Rec Hall. The matches will run from Feb.17 to 18. These games will be a crucial test to see if the Nittany Lions can come back from their near upset.
Ethan Ellis is a second year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email ece5133@psu.edu.
