HTML Box | PDF Box

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – No. 9 Lewis men's volleyball dropped a non-conference match to No. 10 Penn State 3-2 (19-25, 28-26, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13) on Saturday (Jan. 16) at Neil Carey Arena. The contest was a rematch of last season's NCAA National Semifinal contest which Lewis won to advance to the national title match.

Lewis won set one by six points and seemed to be in position to win the second after grabbing an 18-11 advantage. But back came Penn State to tie it at 23. Even with the rally from Penn State, Lewis was the first to set point, earning two at 24-23 and 25-24. Penn State pushed back and won the frame 28-26.

Penn State won the third and was up 14-11 in the fourth, looking to close it out. The Flyers came alive, going on a 5-1 run to go up 16-15. The score was tied at 21 when Lewis closed the set on a 3-1 run. Senior Patrick Lilly (East Northport, N.Y./Commack) had a kill for point 25.

"We found a way to buckle down in game four to give ourselves an opportunity," Lewis head coach Dan Friend said.

Penn State jumped out to a 13-7 lead in set five. Four straight Lewis points forced a Penn State timeout. PSU followed with a kill to earn match point at 14-11. A Penn State service error made it 14-12. Senior Bobby Walsh (Chicago, Ill./Mount Carmel) pounded down an overpass for point 13. However Penn State pulled out point 15 to win the match.

Freshman Julian Moses (Atlanta, Ga./Atlanta International School) and Walsh each led Lewis with 14 kills. Chris Nugent and Jalen Penrose led Penn State with 22 kills each.

Penn State held a 47-34 edge in digs.

"They out dug us by 13 and out-killed us by 13," Friend said. "(Penn State) gave themselves more opportunities to take more swings and in turn got more kills."

Penn State improves to 2-2. Lewis falls to 3-3. The Flyers are back in action on Friday (Jan. 22) against Charleston. First serve is set for 7 p.m. on Staff and Faculty Night at Neil Carey Arena.