CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- The University of Charleston Golden Eagles Men's Volleyball team fell on Friday evening to the Nittany Lions from Penn State, losing 3-0. On Senior Night, Charleston honored their five seniors, Maarten Bartels, Ian Barker, Edgar Sanchez, Stefan Krumerac, and Sean Drexl. The Golden Eagles were led by Maarten Bartels, who recorded nine kills and ten points in the match while teammate Andrew Klein recorded five kills of his own.

JUST THE BASICS
SCORE: Charleston: 0; Penn State: 3
LOCATION: Charleston, W. Va. – Wehrle Arena
TEAM RECORDS: Charleston (4-11, 4-11 EIVA) Penn State (18-3, 15-2 EIVA)

HOW IT HAPPENED
 
In the first set, the Nittany Lions got out to an early 11-2 lead as five attacking errors and two service errors from the Golden Eagles allowed Penn State to gain early momentum. As the opening set continued, the Golden Eagles shared points back and forth with Penn State, but the home team was unable to score more than two consecutive points in the set. Penn State would go on to take the opening set 25-12. In the opening set, the Nittany Lions outkilled the Golden Eagles 8-5, while holding a strong advantage in hitting percentage (.571%) compared to Charleston. (-.158%).
 
In the second, Cal Fisher helped Penn State to an early 4-0 advantage after recording four consecutive service aces to begin the set. After a kill from Maarten Bartels got Charleston on the board, the Nittany Lions would go on to score five of the next six points which forced a UC timeout with PSU leading 10-2. The teams would once again go back and forth, but the lead was ultimately too much to overcome as Penn State took a 2-0 lead after a 25-16 second set victory. While Penn State's hitting percentage declined in the second (.353%) and Charleston's increased (.143%), PSU held the set advantage in kills as well as service aces.
 
In the third, Charleston increased the momentum and took an early 3-2 lead. Six of the next seven points scored would go in favor of the Nittany Lions which forced a timeout with Penn State leading 8-4. As the set continued, Charleston clawed back to as close as one point (9-8 in favor of PSU), but the visitors would go on to score ten of the next 14 in order to increase their lead to 19-12. Penn State would eventually go on to win the set 25-15.
 
 
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles will be back in action for their regular-season finale tomorrow evening as they once again take on the Nittany Lions. First set is scheduled for 7:00 PM.