Penn State Nittany Lions men's volleyball


The Penn State Nittany Lions men's volleyball program has had a long tradition at Penn State University. Founded by Dr. G. Tom Tait, Tait coached the team from 1976–1989, and was named a USA Volleyball All-Time great coach in 2007.
Mark Pavlik has been the head coach since 1995 after serving as an assistant coach for five years. He has led the team to every EIVA conference championship since 1995 with the exception of 1998. Under his guidance, Penn State finished as NCAA runners-up in 1995 and 2006 before winning it all in 2008. He also led the team to an NCAA record of 15 straight NCAA Final Four appearances. Pavlik was awarded his first ever AVCA National Coach of the Year in 2008.

History

1982

Penn State made their first ever NCAA Championship match this year. Current head coach Mark Pavlik was a manager on the team. Penn State was swept by perennial powerhouse UCLA in the final at Rec Hall, led by future Olympic gold medalist and Most Outstanding Player Karch Kiraly.

1994

1994 was a historic year, as Penn State became the first non-California university to win the men's volleyball championship. Playing in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the Lions defeated defending NCAA champion UCLA in a five-set match. After falling behind 2 sets to 1, UCLA looked to have the championship in their hands after being up 11–4 in the fourth set, needing to only get to 15. However, the Lions mounted a stunning comeback and went on an 11–1 run to take set four 15–12 and set five with the same score to win the national championship. It was then-head coach Tom Peterson's last year.

1997

Penn State got back to the final four, losing to UCLA in a five-set match in the semifinals. Senior Ivan Contreras was named the AVCA National Player of the Year, the first ever east coast player to win the award. Brad Sweitzer's errant serve in the fifth set cost the Lions a trip to the championship game.

2006

After eight straight years of making the NCAA final four and losing in the semifinals, Penn State finally broke through. They defeated top ranked and top-seeded UC Irvine in the semifinals at Rec Hall in five games. Despite the successful semifinal result, Penn State lost to UCLA in the national championship.

2008

In the early 2008 season, Penn State swept UCLA for the first time since 1991, and also defeated west coast powers Hawai'i, Cal Baptist and Long Beach State. Penn State only lost one match in the regular season to George Mason, but got revenge on the Patriots in the EIVA tournament finals, securing their bid for their NCAA record 10th consecutive final four appearance. Penn State improved to 55–3 all time in the EIVA championship.
Penn State was the top seed in the final four, the first time in the history of the men's volleyball tournament that a non-west coast university was the top seed. The final four was held in Irvine, California at the Bren Events Center from May 1–3. After defeating Ohio State in the semifinals, Penn State met Pepperdine in the final. After dropping the first set, Penn State went on to win the next three to defeat the Waves in four games. Matt Anderson, the AVCA Co-National Player of the Year, was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Four other Penn State players were named All Americans.
Pepperdine head coach Marv Dunphy said earlier in the NCAA tournament that the 2008 Penn State men's volleyball team was the best men's volleyball team to ever come out of the east or midwest.

2013

In 2013, the Nittany Lions ended their season with a defeat by the BYU Cougars 0–3 in the second semifinal of the NCAA championships on May 2, 2013 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.

All-Americans

The Penn State men's volleyball program has seen 83 AVCA All American honors.
YearAVCA All-Americans
1971Trevor Zahniser
1976Tom Hahn, John Phillips, Dave Dicker, Larry Wile
1981Ahmet Ozcam
1982Steve Hunkins, Jeff Johnson, Mike Guyon, Chuck Kegerreis, Bruce Van Horn
1983Bruce Van Horn
1985Javier Gaspar, Bob Palka
1986Chris Chase, Javier Gaspar, Stew Russell
1987Chris Chase, Javier Gaspar
1988Chris Chase, Javier Gaspar, Dave Bittner, Robert Pierce
1989Chris Chase, Robert Pierce, Guillo Silva
1990Guillo Silva
1991Jorge Perez, Scott Miller, Charlie Bertran
1992David Muir, Ramon Hernandez, Jim Schall
1993Ramon Hernandez
1994Ramon Hernandez, Ivan Contreras, Carlos Ortiz, Ed Josefoski
1995Ivan Contreras, Carlos Ortiz, Ed Josefoski, Kevin Hourican
1996Ivan Contreras, Kevin Hourican
1997Ivan Contreras, Jason Kepner
2000Jose Quinones
2001Jose Quinones, Carlos Guerra, Zeljko Koljesar
2002Jose Quinones, Zeljko Koljesar, Ricky Mattei, Zach Slenker
2003Carlos Guerra, Keith Kowal
2004Keith Kowal, Ricky Mattei
2005Nate Meerstein, Keith Kowal, Matt Proper
2006Matt Proper
2007Matt Anderson
2008Matt Anderson, Max Holt, Dennis Del Valle, Max Lipsitz, Luke Murray
2009Max Holt, Max Lipsitz, Will Price, Dennis Del Valle, Edgardo Goas
2010Max Lipsitz, Dennis Del Valle
2011Joe Sunder, Dennis Del Valle, Edgardo Goas
2012Joe Sunder
2014Aaron Russell, Nick Goodell
2015Aaron Russell
2016Chris Nugent
2017Chris Nugent, Calvin Mende

National Awards

Mark Pavlik has earned one National Coach of the Year award, while former head coach Tom Peterson got the accolade once as well. Two Penn State players have been named Player of the Year.
Year/AwardNational Coach of the YearNational Player of the Year
1994Tom Peterson
1997Ivan Contreras
2008Mark PavlikMatt Anderson

All-time roster

From 1973 to 2017, the All Time Roster contains 230-plus different student-athletes, including two Jeff Johnsons. The roster below includes all lettermen, red shirts, and partial years.
Year/Number0123456789101112131415161718192021222324
1973–1974Roger McGinnisGary StrawbridgeDon TobinRay LewisStu CohenJim WittlerDave KissingerDan HarslemTom HahnLarry WileKeith Treece
1974–1975Frank AgnewDave EvansJeff MorrisDave DickerStu CohenFrank GuadagninoJim WittlerDave KissingerJohn PhillipsTom HahnLarry WileKeith Treece
1975–1976Frank AgnewDave EvansJeff MorrisDave DickerFrank GuadagninoCarey SeavyJeff SeavyJohn PhillipsTom HahnLarry Wile
1976–1977Dave EvansFrank AgnewMark GlentzerDave PhillipsFrank GuadagninoCarey SeavyJeff SeavyDavid MullJohn PhillipsJohn MorganDon UvegesDan DehnRich EmanuelRick GendayMike CaseyTom LabuttaJeff ShinrockMatt HilbertRob Laughner
1977–1978Walt CannonFrank AgnewDave PhillipsFrank GuadagninoCarey SeavyRich EmanuelDavid MullRick GendayJohn MorganMike GordonDon UvegesMike CaseyJohn MoritzScott Shreve
1978–1979Don UvegesDave PhillipsMatt SchmaleCarey SeavyMark PavlikDavid MullRick GendayJohn MorganMike GordonRon ShaykaAl SyracuseChuck KegerreisJohn MoritzKirk Van Horn
1979–1980Randy PankoMike GuyonRon ShaykaRon KellyBill SchooleyKen KraftDavid MullRick GendayJeff JohnsonMike GordonJohn MoritzBruce Van HornChuck KegerreisMark Kraynik
1980–1981Ron CarperMike GuyonRon ShaykaMark StrohmayerSteve HunkinsKen KraftDavid McMillanAhmet OzcamJeff JohnsonMike GordonBruce Van HornChuck KegerreisMark Kraynik
1981–1982Scott TreserMike GuyonBob PalkaSteve HunkinsKen KraftSteve MarseleseDave McMillanJeff JohnsonTony LutzPaul HunczakBruce Van HornChuck KegerreisMark Kraynik
1982–1983Steve MarseleseScott TreserMike GuyonBob PalkaSteve HunkinsKen KraftJohn HartranftDuane TrumbleJeff JohnsonJohan JonssonEd SciulliBruce Van HornMark KraynikBoris Kaz
1983–1984Blair DoddsStew RussellFred GozumBob PalkaSteve HunkinsJon PennJohn HartranftDuane TrumbleJose RubayoOle LachemeyerEd SciulliJeff JohnsonTodd StehmanBoris Kaz
1984–1985Chip HummerJavier GasparBob FauxFred GozumRich CiceroMike HoganJon PennJohn HartranftBob PalkaJose RubayoDavid BittnerKeith YarrosTrevor HaleStew RussellJeff JohnsonTodd StehmanJim SeniorAndy Rich
1985–1986Javier GasparBob FauxFred GozumRich CiceroMike HoganJon PennJohn HartranftRobert PierceJose RubayoDavid BittnerKeith YarrosStew RussellTerry Van HornChris Chase
1986–1987Javier GasparJon WardRich CiceroMike HoganJohn WasiliewskiBart BerkeyTodd ShirleyJose RubayoDavid BittnerKeith YarrosRobert PierceRich ZembaChris Chase
1987–1988Scott MillerJavier GasparCarlos BertranJon WardRich CiceroMike HoganJohn WasiliewskiJorge PerezTodd ShirleyJose RubayoDavid BittnerKeith YarrosHollis DavidsonKevin MosbacherRobert PierceGuillo SilvaChris Chase
1988–1989Scott MillerJavier GasparCarlos BertranWinfield EvensJim SchallDavid YostJohn WasiliewskiJorge PerezTodd ShirleyTom GingrichScott ShirleyKevin MosbacherRobert PierceGuillo SilvaChris Chase
1989–1990Scott MillerMike SchallCarlos BertranWinfield EvensJim SchallJohn WasiliewskiJorge PerezTodd ShirleyTom GingrichLarry PerryKevin MosbacherRicky RoperTito NunezGuillo SilvaJeff Johnson
1990–1991Scott MillerMike SchallCarlos BertranWinfield EvensJim SchallMarcus NeumannDavid MuirJorge PerezRamon HernandezTom GingrichLuke PatseyByron SchneiderRicky RoperTito NunezAaron ZoernerEd Josefoski
1991–1992Brian HeffernanMike SchallWinfield EvensJim SchallMarcus NeumannDavid MuirMark BlumRamon HernandezTom GingrichUlf AkerstedtByron SchneiderRicky RoperCarlos OrtizBrian MillerAaron ZoernerEd Josefoski
1992–1993Brian HeffernanMike SchallKristian HahnAdam FernslerJason KepnerMarcus NeumannDavid MuirCarlos OrtizRamon HernandezKevin HouricanByron SchneiderRicky RoperAaron ZoernerBrian MillerFred MatheisEd JosefoskiJake YancharStewart MurreyScott Irwin
1993–1994Ivan ContrerasAdam FernslerJason KepnerCarlos OrtizRamon HernandezJake YancharKevin HouricanByron SchneiderKristian HahnBrian MillerFred MatheisEd JosefoskiScott Irwin
1994–1995Ivan ContrerasAdam FernslerJason KepnerFred MatheisDavid GealeyCarlos OrtizJake YancharKevin HouricanBrian MillerBrent LappEd Josefoski
1995–1996Dan SchallKevin HardyIvan ContrerasJason KepnerJustin OttoDavid GealeyDan PollockJake YancharKevin HouricanBrad MillerSergio PampenaDamian MartoranaUvaldo Nido
1996–1997Dan SchallIvan ContrerasAdam WhitescarverJason KepnerJustin OttoDavid GealeyBrad MillerDan PollockJake YancharScott LappTony MazzulloSergio PampenaDamian MartoranaKevin Munger
1997–1998Tim HoffmanDan SchallDan HoechstAdam WhitescarverJon HahnGeorge PapadakisDavid GealeyBrad MillerDan PollockEric HoustonScott LappTony MazzulloSergio PampenaDamian MartoranaKevin MungerSteve Aird
1998–1999Tim HoffmanDan SchallDan HoechstAdam WhitescarverJon HahnGeorge PapadakisJose QuinonesBrad MillerDan PollockEric HoustonScott LappTony MazzulloSergio PampenaJosh BriggsJason HawkinsSteve Aird
1999–2000Tim HoffmanKevin HodgeDan HoechstAdam WhitescarverJose QuinonesZach SlenkerCarlos GuerraEric HoustonZeljko KoljesarJosh BriggsJason HawkinsSteve Aird
2000–2001Ricky MatteiKevin HodgeRichard SchneiderJosh MowreyRhonee RojasNate MatthewsJose QuinonesZach SlenkerCarlos GuerraAlex WeaverJohn MillsZeljko KoljesarNorman KeilJosh BriggsJason HawkinsSteve Aird
2001–2002Ricky MatteiKevin HodgeRichard SchneiderRhonee RojasNate MatthewsJose QuinonesZach SlenkerCarlos GuerraAlex WeaverJohn MillsZeljko KoljesarNorman KeilKeith KowalJason Hawkins
2002–2003Ricky MatteiDan O'DellRichard SchneiderMatt ProperRhonee RojasNate MatthewsKevin WentzelZach SlenkerCarlos GuerraAlex WeaverNate MeersteinZeljko KoljesarNorman KeilKeith KowalJosh MowreyBrian O'Dell
2003–2004Ricky MatteiDan O'DellKyle MastersonMatt ProperRhonee RojasRyan WalthallKevin WentzelAaron SmithAndrew PriceAlex GutorNate MeersteinRyan FisherPhillip SmallKeith KowalJosh MowreyGuillermo Fernandez
2004–2005Gary VogelDan O'DellKyle MastersonMatt ProperGuillermo FernandezRyan WalthallKevin WentzelAaron SmithAndrew PriceAlex GutorNate MeersteinDan GwittKeith KowalLuke MurrayTravis Foltz
2005–2006Gary VogelDan O'DellKyle MastersonMatt ProperRyan WalthallKevin WentzelAaron SmithAndrew PriceAlex GutorNate MeersteinMax HoltRyan SweitzerMatt AndersonJay StaufferLuke MurrayTravis Foltz
2006–2007Aaron MengesTravis FoltzJon SherrickJason AmbroseRyan WalthallCraig CruseAaron SmithMax LipsitzAlex GutorMax HoltRyan SweitzerMatt AndersonJay StaufferLuke MurrayAlan Mars
2007–2008Brad McCoyTravis FoltzJesse WagnerThomas PereiraJason AmbroseDennis Del ValleEdgardo GoásAlan MarsMax LipsitzJon SherrickWill PriceMax HoltRyan SweitzerMatt AndersonJay StaufferLuke MurrayJoe Sunder
2008–2009Brad McCoyTor CovelloJesse WagnerThomas PereiraJason AmbroseDennis Del ValleEdgardo GoásAlan MarsMax LipsitzJon SherrickWill PriceMax HoltRyan SweitzerRyan WolfJay StaufferMark ShippJoe Sunder
2009–2010Brad McCoyTor CovelloJesse WagnerThomas PereiraJason AmbroseDennis Del ValleEdgardo GoásAlan MarsMax LipsitzNick TurkoWill PriceIan HendriesTom ComfortRyan WolfKyle MarsMark ShippJoe SunderScott Kegerreis
2010–2011Tor CovelloConnor CurryNick GoodellKyle MarsDennis Del ValleEdgardo GoásAlan MarsPeter RussellNick TurkoJace OlsenIan HendriesTom ComfortRyan WolfScott KegerreisJoe YasalonisJoe Sunder
2011–2012Taylor HammondTor CovelloConnor CurryNick GoodellKyle MarsEdgardo GoásAaron RussellPeter RussellNick TurkoJace OlsenIan HendriesTom ComfortRyan WolfScott KegerreisKyle GreganJoe SunderMatt Seifert
2012–2013Taylor HammondZack ParikConnor CurryNick GoodellKyle MarsAndrew RobertsAaron RussellPeter RussellNick TurkoSpencer SauterIan HendriesTom ComfortMatt KapustaScott KegerreisKyle GreganMatt CallawayMatt Seifert
2013–2014Taylor HammondZack ParikConnor CurryNick GoodellJoseph FarellAndrew RobertsAaron RussellPeter RussellChristopher NugentSpencer SauterKevin GearJalen PenroseAidan AlbrechtKyle GreganMatt CallawayMatt Seifert
2014–2015Taylor HammondZack ParikConnor CurryNick GoodellParker ThompsonRoyce ClemensAndrew RobertsAaron RussellLee SmithChristopher NugentSpencer SauterKevin GearMatthew McLarenJalen PenroseAidan AlbrechtMatt CallawayMatt Seifert
2015–2016Taylor HammondZack ParikFrank MelvinLuke BraswellRoyce ClemensAndrew RobertsJason DonorovichLee SmithChristopher NugentSpencer SauterKevin GearMatthew McLarenJalen PenroseAidan AlbrechtCalvin MendeMatt CallawayMatt Seifert
2016–2017Declan PierceFrank MelvinLuke BraswellNathan SmithRoyce ClemensBobby WildenJason DonorovichLee SmithChristopher NugentCameron BartusKevin GearMatthew McLarenJalen PenroseAidan AlbrechtCalvin MendeMatt CallawayKyle Mackiewicz
2017–2018Declan PierceJack GoedkenFrank MelvinLuke BraswellNathan SmithRoyce ClemensBobby WildenJason DonorovichLee SmithHenry PayneCameron BartusKevin GearMatthew McLarenJalen PenroseAidan AlbrechtCalvin MendeMathew GagnonKyle MackiewiczLouis MurrayWill BantleHenrik Falck Lauten
2018–2019Declan PierceJack GoedkenFrank MelvinLuke BraswellNathan SmithCole BognerBobby WildenJason DonorovichLee SmithHenry PayneCameron BartusBrett WildmanMatthew McLarenSam MarshCanyon TumanCalvin MendeHenrik Falck LautenKyle MackiewiczCal FisherWill Bantle
2019–2020Declan PierceJack GoedkenJack ShampineLuke BraswellNathan SmithCole BognerBobby WildenJason DonorovichJohn KerrHenry PayneCameron BartusBrett WildmanAndrew WattsSam MarshCanyon TumanCalvin MendeHenrik Falck LautenKyle MackiewiczCal FisherWill BantleGabe HartkeJack DriscollJack HowardTim Herget