MEN'S VOLLEYBALL vs. Penn State 
WHEN: Saturday, April 20th at 7 p.m.
WHERE: University Park, Pa. | Rec Hall
RECORDS: George Mason (18-9); Penn State (22-6)
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Fairfax, Va.- Last night, both semifinal matchups concluded with the top two seeds overcoming their opponents and reaching the final. The second seed George Mason and the first seed, Penn State, will be battling for the title of EIVA Champions. 
 
George Mason swept Charleston to reach the desired conference final, the first time since 2021. There were some nerves in the first set with eight service errors but the Patriots let that go and their offense took full control for the rest of the game. Penn State had to defeat Harvard to reach the final once again but Harvard did not make it easy. The Nittany Lions won the game in four sets but in two of those sets, the game had to be extended past the 25-point mark. 
 
George Mason and Penn State last faced in the EIVA Championship in 2021 where Penn State took the title, three sets to one. There were three names on the George Mason roster in 2021 who suffered the championship defeat but who are now ambitious and determined to be named the EIVA Champions. Omar Hoyos, Colin Heath, and Eamonn Testerman are all seniors now, playing their final season and wanting to leave with a trophy under their name. 
 
In the regular season of this year, George Mason lost both games against the Nittany Lions at Rec Hall. The first game was an intense five set battle with George Mason leading twice in the game but letting it slip at the end. The second game ended three sets to one for Penn State once again but the defeats did not deflate the Patriots, it only grew the fire and desire to work harder and bring back the championship to Fairfax. 
 
Scouting Penn State:

• Finished undefeated in the EIVA Conference and defeated Harvard in the semifinals, 3-1
• Graduate opposite hitter John Kerr is the main offensive outlet with 387 kills
• Junior libero Ryan Merk leads his team in digs with 230
• Freshman setter Michael Schwob has the most assists with 614
• Junior middle blocker Owen Rose leads the team in blocks, 91
• Senior outside hitter Michal Kowal has the most aces with 36