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.| Year | AVCA All-Americans |
| 1971 | Trevor Zahniser |
| 1976 | Tom Hahn, John Phillips, Dave Dicker, Larry Wile |
| 1981 | Ahmet Ozcam |
| 1982 | Steve Hunkins, Jeff Johnson, Mike Guyon, Chuck Kegerreis, Bruce Van Horn |
| 1983 | Bruce Van Horn |
| 1985 | Javier Gaspar, Bob Palka |
| 1986 | Chris Chase, Javier Gaspar, Stew Russell |
| 1987 | Chris Chase, Javier Gaspar |
| 1988 | Chris Chase, Javier Gaspar, Dave Bittner, Robert Pierce |
| 1989 | Chris Chase, Robert Pierce, Guillo Silva |
| 1990 | Guillo Silva |
| 1991 | Jorge Perez, Scott Miller, Charlie Bertran |
| 1992 | David Muir, Ramon Hernandez, Jim Schall |
| 1993 | Ramon Hernandez |
| 1994 | Ramon Hernandez, Ivan Contreras, Carlos Ortiz, Ed Josefoski |
| 1995 | Ivan Contreras, Carlos Ortiz, Ed Josefoski, Kevin Hourican |
| 1996 | Ivan Contreras, Kevin Hourican |
| 1997 | Ivan Contreras, Jason Kepner |
| 2000 | Jose Quinones |
| 2001 | Jose Quinones, Carlos Guerra, Zeljko Koljesar |
| 2002 | Jose Quinones, Zeljko Koljesar, Ricky Mattei, Zach Slenker |
| 2003 | Carlos Guerra, Keith Kowal |
| 2004 | Keith Kowal, Ricky Mattei |
| 2005 | Nate Meerstein, Keith Kowal, Matt Proper |
| 2006 | Matt Proper |
| 2007 | Matt Anderson |
| 2008 | Matt Anderson, Max Holt, Dennis Del Valle, Max Lipsitz, Luke Murray |
| 2009 | Max Holt, Max Lipsitz, Will Price, Dennis Del Valle, Edgardo Goas |
| 2010 | Max Lipsitz, Dennis Del Valle |
| 2011 | Joe Sunder, Dennis Del Valle, Edgardo Goas |
| 2012 | Joe Sunder |
| 2014 | Aaron Russell, Nick Goodell |
| 2015 | Aaron Russell |
| 2016 | Chris Nugent |
| 2017 | Chris 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/Award | National Coach of the Year | National Player of the Year |
| 1994 | Tom Peterson | |
| 1997 | Ivan Contreras | |
| 2008 | Mark Pavlik | Matt 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/Number | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 1973–1974 | – | Roger McGinnis | Gary Strawbridge | Don Tobin | Ray Lewis | Stu Cohen | Jim Wittler | Dave Kissinger | Dan Harslem | – | Tom Hahn | Larry Wile | – | Keith Treece | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1974–1975 | Frank Agnew | Dave Evans | Jeff Morris | Dave Dicker | Stu Cohen | Frank Guadagnino | Jim Wittler | Dave Kissinger | – | John Phillips | Tom Hahn | Larry Wile | – | Keith Treece | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1975–1976 | Frank Agnew | Dave Evans | Jeff Morris | Dave Dicker | – | Frank Guadagnino | Carey Seavy | Jeff Seavy | – | John Phillips | Tom Hahn | Larry Wile | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1976–1977 | – | Dave Evans | Frank Agnew | Mark Glentzer | Dave Phillips | Frank Guadagnino | Carey Seavy | Jeff Seavy | David Mull | John Phillips | John Morgan | Don Uveges | Dan Dehn | Rich Emanuel | Rick Genday | Mike Casey | Tom Labutta | Jeff Shinrock | Matt Hilbert | Rob Laughner | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1977–1978 | – | Walt Cannon | Frank Agnew | – | Dave Phillips | Frank Guadagnino | Carey Seavy | Rich Emanuel | David Mull | Rick Genday | John Morgan | – | Mike Gordon | Don Uveges | – | Mike Casey | John Moritz | Scott Shreve | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1978–1979 | – | – | – | Don Uveges | Dave Phillips | Matt Schmale | Carey Seavy | Mark Pavlik | David Mull | Rick Genday | John Morgan | – | Mike Gordon | Ron Shayka | Al Syracuse | Chuck Kegerreis | John Moritz | Kirk Van Horn | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1979–1980 | – | Randy Panko | – | Mike Guyon | Ron Shayka | Ron Kelly | Bill Schooley | Ken Kraft | David Mull | Rick Genday | Jeff Johnson | – | Mike Gordon | John Moritz | Bruce Van Horn | Chuck Kegerreis | Mark Kraynik | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1980–1981 | – | – | Ron Carper | Mike Guyon | Ron Shayka | Mark Strohmayer | Steve Hunkins | Ken Kraft | David McMillan | Ahmet Ozcam | Jeff Johnson | – | Mike Gordon | – | Bruce Van Horn | Chuck Kegerreis | Mark Kraynik | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1981–1982 | – | – | – | Scott Treser | Mike Guyon | Bob Palka | Steve Hunkins | Ken Kraft | Steve Marselese | Dave McMillan | Jeff Johnson | Tony Lutz | Paul Hunczak | – | Bruce Van Horn | Chuck Kegerreis | Mark Kraynik | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1982–1983 | – | Steve Marselese | – | Scott Treser | Mike Guyon | Bob Palka | Steve Hunkins | Ken Kraft | John Hartranft | Duane Trumble | Jeff Johnson | Johan Jonsson | Ed Sciulli | – | – | Bruce Van Horn | Mark Kraynik | Boris Kaz | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1983–1984 | – | Blair Dodds | – | Stew Russell | Fred Gozum | Bob Palka | Steve Hunkins | Jon Penn | John Hartranft | Duane Trumble | Jose Rubayo | Ole Lachemeyer | Ed Sciulli | – | – | Jeff Johnson | Todd Stehman | Boris Kaz | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1984–1985 | – | Chip Hummer | Javier Gaspar | Bob Faux | Fred Gozum | Rich Cicero | Mike Hogan | Jon Penn | John Hartranft | Bob Palka | Jose Rubayo | David Bittner | Keith Yarros | Trevor Hale | Stew Russell | Jeff Johnson | Todd Stehman | Jim Senior | Andy Rich | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1985–1986 | – | – | Javier Gaspar | Bob Faux | Fred Gozum | Rich Cicero | Mike Hogan | Jon Penn | John Hartranft | Robert Pierce | Jose Rubayo | David Bittner | Keith Yarros | – | Stew Russell | Terry Van Horn | – | Chris Chase | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1986–1987 | – | – | Javier Gaspar | – | Jon Ward | Rich Cicero | Mike Hogan | John Wasiliewski | Bart Berkey | Todd Shirley | Jose Rubayo | David Bittner | Keith Yarros | – | – | Robert Pierce | Rich Zemba | Chris Chase | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1987–1988 | – | Scott Miller | Javier Gaspar | Carlos Bertran | Jon Ward | Rich Cicero | Mike Hogan | John Wasiliewski | Jorge Perez | Todd Shirley | Jose Rubayo | David Bittner | Keith Yarros | Hollis Davidson | Kevin Mosbacher | Robert Pierce | Guillo Silva | Chris Chase | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1988–1989 | – | Scott Miller | Javier Gaspar | Carlos Bertran | Winfield Evens | Jim Schall | David Yost | John Wasiliewski | Jorge Perez | Todd Shirley | Tom Gingrich | Scott Shirley | Kevin Mosbacher | – | – | Robert Pierce | Guillo Silva | Chris Chase | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1989–1990 | – | Scott Miller | Mike Schall | Carlos Bertran | Winfield Evens | Jim Schall | – | John Wasiliewski | Jorge Perez | Todd Shirley | Tom Gingrich | Larry Perry | Kevin Mosbacher | Ricky Roper | – | Tito Nunez | Guillo Silva | Jeff Johnson | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1990–1991 | – | Scott Miller | Mike Schall | Carlos Bertran | Winfield Evens | Jim Schall | Marcus Neumann | David Muir | Jorge Perez | Ramon Hernandez | Tom Gingrich | Luke Patsey | Byron Schneider | Ricky Roper | – | Tito Nunez | Aaron Zoerner | Ed Josefoski | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1991–1992 | – | Brian Heffernan | Mike Schall | – | Winfield Evens | Jim Schall | Marcus Neumann | David Muir | Mark Blum | Ramon Hernandez | Tom Gingrich | Ulf Akerstedt | Byron Schneider | Ricky Roper | Carlos Ortiz | Brian Miller | Aaron Zoerner | Ed Josefoski | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1992–1993 | – | Brian Heffernan | Mike Schall | Kristian Hahn | Adam Fernsler | Jason Kepner | Marcus Neumann | David Muir | Carlos Ortiz | Ramon Hernandez | – | Kevin Hourican | Byron Schneider | Ricky Roper | Aaron Zoerner | Brian Miller | Fred Matheis | Ed Josefoski | Jake Yanchar | Stewart Murrey | Scott Irwin | – | – | – | – |
| 1993–1994 | – | – | – | Ivan Contreras | Adam Fernsler | Jason Kepner | – | – | Carlos Ortiz | Ramon Hernandez | Jake Yanchar | Kevin Hourican | Byron Schneider | Kristian Hahn | – | Brian Miller | Fred Matheis | Ed Josefoski | – | – | Scott Irwin | – | – | – | – |
| 1994–1995 | – | – | – | Ivan Contreras | Adam Fernsler | Jason Kepner | Fred Matheis | David Gealey | Carlos Ortiz | – | Jake Yanchar | Kevin Hourican | – | – | – | Brian Miller | Brent Lapp | Ed Josefoski | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1995–1996 | – | Dan Schall | Kevin Hardy | Ivan Contreras | – | Jason Kepner | Justin Otto | David Gealey | – | Dan Pollock | Jake Yanchar | Kevin Hourican | Brad Miller | Sergio Pampena | Damian Martorana | Uvaldo Nido | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1996–1997 | – | – | Dan Schall | Ivan Contreras | Adam Whitescarver | Jason Kepner | Justin Otto | David Gealey | Brad Miller | Dan Pollock | Jake Yanchar | Scott Lapp | Tony Mazzullo | Sergio Pampena | Damian Martorana | Kevin Munger | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1997–1998 | – | Tim Hoffman | Dan Schall | Dan Hoechst | Adam Whitescarver | Jon Hahn | George Papadakis | David Gealey | Brad Miller | Dan Pollock | Eric Houston | Scott Lapp | Tony Mazzullo | Sergio Pampena | Damian Martorana | Kevin Munger | Steve Aird | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1998–1999 | – | Tim Hoffman | Dan Schall | Dan Hoechst | Adam Whitescarver | Jon Hahn | George Papadakis | Jose Quinones | Brad Miller | Dan Pollock | Eric Houston | Scott Lapp | Tony Mazzullo | Sergio Pampena | Josh Briggs | Jason Hawkins | Steve Aird | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 1999–2000 | – | Tim Hoffman | Kevin Hodge | Dan Hoechst | Adam Whitescarver | – | – | Jose Quinones | Zach Slenker | Carlos Guerra | Eric Houston | – | Zeljko Koljesar | – | Josh Briggs | Jason Hawkins | Steve Aird | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2000–2001 | – | Ricky Mattei | Kevin Hodge | Richard Schneider | Josh Mowrey | Rhonee Rojas | Nate Matthews | Jose Quinones | Zach Slenker | Carlos Guerra | Alex Weaver | John Mills | Zeljko Koljesar | Norman Keil | Josh Briggs | Jason Hawkins | Steve Aird | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2001–2002 | – | Ricky Mattei | Kevin Hodge | Richard Schneider | – | Rhonee Rojas | Nate Matthews | Jose Quinones | Zach Slenker | Carlos Guerra | Alex Weaver | John Mills | Zeljko Koljesar | Norman Keil | Keith Kowal | Jason Hawkins | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2002–2003 | – | Ricky Mattei | Dan O'Dell | Richard Schneider | Matt Proper | Rhonee Rojas | Nate Matthews | Kevin Wentzel | Zach Slenker | Carlos Guerra | Alex Weaver | Nate Meerstein | Zeljko Koljesar | Norman Keil | Keith Kowal | Josh Mowrey | Brian O'Dell | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2003–2004 | – | Ricky Mattei | Dan O'Dell | Kyle Masterson | Matt Proper | Rhonee Rojas | Ryan Walthall | Kevin Wentzel | Aaron Smith | Andrew Price | Alex Gutor | Nate Meerstein | Ryan Fisher | Phillip Small | Keith Kowal | Josh Mowrey | Guillermo Fernandez | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2004–2005 | – | Gary Vogel | Dan O'Dell | Kyle Masterson | Matt Proper | Guillermo Fernandez | Ryan Walthall | Kevin Wentzel | Aaron Smith | Andrew Price | Alex Gutor | Nate Meerstein | Dan Gwitt | – | Keith Kowal | – | Luke Murray | Travis Foltz | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2005–2006 | – | Gary Vogel | Dan O'Dell | Kyle Masterson | Matt Proper | – | Ryan Walthall | Kevin Wentzel | Aaron Smith | Andrew Price | Alex Gutor | Nate Meerstein | Max Holt | Ryan Sweitzer | Matt Anderson | Jay Stauffer | Luke Murray | Travis Foltz | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2006–2007 | – | Aaron Menges | Travis Foltz | – | Jon Sherrick | Jason Ambrose | Ryan Walthall | Craig Cruse | Aaron Smith | Max Lipsitz | Alex Gutor | – | Max Holt | Ryan Sweitzer | Matt Anderson | Jay Stauffer | Luke Murray | Alan Mars | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2007–2008 | – | Brad McCoy | Travis Foltz | Jesse Wagner | Thomas Pereira | Jason Ambrose | Dennis Del Valle | Edgardo Goás | Alan Mars | Max Lipsitz | Jon Sherrick | Will Price | Max Holt | Ryan Sweitzer | Matt Anderson | Jay Stauffer | Luke Murray | Joe Sunder | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2008–2009 | – | Brad McCoy | Tor Covello | Jesse Wagner | Thomas Pereira | Jason Ambrose | Dennis Del Valle | Edgardo Goás | Alan Mars | Max Lipsitz | Jon Sherrick | Will Price | Max Holt | Ryan Sweitzer | Ryan Wolf | Jay Stauffer | Mark Shipp | Joe Sunder | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2009–2010 | – | Brad McCoy | Tor Covello | Jesse Wagner | Thomas Pereira | Jason Ambrose | Dennis Del Valle | Edgardo Goás | Alan Mars | Max Lipsitz | Nick Turko | Will Price | Ian Hendries | Tom Comfort | Ryan Wolf | Kyle Mars | Mark Shipp | Joe Sunder | Scott Kegerreis | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2010–2011 | – | – | Tor Covello | Connor Curry | Nick Goodell | Kyle Mars | Dennis Del Valle | Edgardo Goás | Alan Mars | Peter Russell | Nick Turko | Jace Olsen | Ian Hendries | Tom Comfort | Ryan Wolf | Scott Kegerreis | Joe Yasalonis | Joe Sunder | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2011–2012 | – | Taylor Hammond | Tor Covello | Connor Curry | Nick Goodell | Kyle Mars | – | Edgardo Goás | Aaron Russell | Peter Russell | Nick Turko | Jace Olsen | Ian Hendries | Tom Comfort | Ryan Wolf | Scott Kegerreis | Kyle Gregan | Joe Sunder | Matt Seifert | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2012–2013 | – | Taylor Hammond | Zack Parik | Connor Curry | Nick Goodell | Kyle Mars | – | Andrew Roberts | Aaron Russell | Peter Russell | Nick Turko | Spencer Sauter | Ian Hendries | Tom Comfort | Matt Kapusta | Scott Kegerreis | Kyle Gregan | Matt Callaway | Matt Seifert | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2013–2014 | – | Taylor Hammond | Zack Parik | Connor Curry | Nick Goodell | Joseph Farell | – | Andrew Roberts | Aaron Russell | Peter Russell | Christopher Nugent | Spencer Sauter | Kevin Gear | – | Jalen Penrose | Aidan Albrecht | Kyle Gregan | Matt Callaway | Matt Seifert | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2014–2015 | – | Taylor Hammond | Zack Parik | Connor Curry | Nick Goodell | Parker Thompson | Royce Clemens | Andrew Roberts | Aaron Russell | Lee Smith | Christopher Nugent | Spencer Sauter | Kevin Gear | Matthew McLaren | Jalen Penrose | Aidan Albrecht | – | Matt Callaway | Matt Seifert | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2015–2016 | – | Taylor Hammond | Zack Parik | Frank Melvin | Luke Braswell | – | Royce Clemens | Andrew Roberts | Jason Donorovich | Lee Smith | Christopher Nugent | Spencer Sauter | Kevin Gear | Matthew McLaren | Jalen Penrose | Aidan Albrecht | Calvin Mende | Matt Callaway | Matt Seifert | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2016–2017 | – | Declan Pierce | – | Frank Melvin | Luke Braswell | Nathan Smith | Royce Clemens | Bobby Wilden | Jason Donorovich | Lee Smith | Christopher Nugent | Cameron Bartus | Kevin Gear | Matthew McLaren | Jalen Penrose | Aidan Albrecht | Calvin Mende | Matt Callaway | Kyle Mackiewicz | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2017–2018 | – | Declan Pierce | Jack Goedken | Frank Melvin | Luke Braswell | Nathan Smith | Royce Clemens | Bobby Wilden | Jason Donorovich | Lee Smith | Henry Payne | Cameron Bartus | Kevin Gear | Matthew McLaren | Jalen Penrose | Aidan Albrecht | Calvin Mende | Mathew Gagnon | Kyle Mackiewicz | Louis Murray | Will Bantle | Henrik Falck Lauten | – | – | – |
| 2018–2019 | – | Declan Pierce | Jack Goedken | Frank Melvin | Luke Braswell | Nathan Smith | Cole Bogner | Bobby Wilden | Jason Donorovich | Lee Smith | Henry Payne | Cameron Bartus | Brett Wildman | Matthew McLaren | Sam Marsh | Canyon Tuman | Calvin Mende | Henrik Falck Lauten | Kyle Mackiewicz | Cal Fisher | Will Bantle | – | – | – | – |
| 2019–2020 | – | Declan Pierce | Jack Goedken | Jack Shampine | Luke Braswell | Nathan Smith | Cole Bogner | Bobby Wilden | Jason Donorovich | John Kerr | Henry Payne | Cameron Bartus | Brett Wildman | Andrew Watts | Sam Marsh | Canyon Tuman | Calvin Mende | Henrik Falck Lauten | Kyle Mackiewicz | Cal Fisher | Will Bantle | Gabe Hartke | Jack Driscoll | Jack Howard | Tim Herget |