M. Volleyball Falls to Penn State in EIVA Quarterfinals

STATE COLLEGE, Penn.--Happy Valley, where Penn State is located, was a dreary and nasty place this past weekend. The weather was disgusting--incessant cold, drizzling rain--and the Nittany Lions volleyball team was oppressive.

No. 9 seed Harvard (13-8, 9-3 EIVA), who defeated No. 8 seed Queens College last Wednesday night to advance in the EIVA playoffs, was stopped short in its postseason progress by No. 1 seed Penn State in the quarterfinals.

The Nittany Lions (18-13, 15-0 EIVA), who came into the match undefeated in league play, dominated the Crimson in all aspects of the game and ended Harvard's season with a three-game sweep, 15-5, 15-6, 15-2.

Although Saturday's match pitted two EIVA Divisional Crown winners (Penn State, Tait, and Harvard, Odeneal), the contest in Recreation Hall was a story of substantially different teams.

Penn State, playing perhaps its best volleyball of the season, scorched Harvard with a .498 hitting percentage on offense and decimated the Crimson at the net with 22 blocks.

Harvard, which was unfortunately caught on an off day, struggled mightily on offense with a .000 hitting percentage--the kills equaled the kill errors--and put up paltry defensive numbers as a team with eight blocks and 11 digs.

Although the score and statistics indicate a blowout, Harvard was able to hang well with the Nittany Lions at certain points of the match.

"We could definitely play with them, and we had them on their heels a lot in the match," said co-captain Ed Pankau. "They just executed slightly better. The score is not indicative of how close the two teams really were."

Harvard looked strong early on as freshman middle blocker Alex Kowell came up with a huge block to give Harvard an ephemeral 1-0 lead in the first game.

With Penn State and Harvard tied at 2-2 a short while later, the Nittany Lions went on an imposing 7-0 run, fueled by four kills from Penn State freshman swing hitter Carlos Guerra.

The faces of the Crimson players were tense and troubled as adversity set in. Earlier this season, Harvard was able to regroup after falling behind, but on Saturday the pressure of being in an important playoff match against a formidable opponent was too overwhelming to overcome.

"I think your first time playing in an EIVA quarterfinal match, especially here [in Rec Hall], can be a little intimidating," said Penn State Coach Mark Pavlik.

The Nittany Lions, who have won eight of the last 10 EIVA Championships, were also physically intimidating. The average Penn State starter is 6'6 and extremely athletic.

"I think the physical level of play was the difference in the match," Pavlik said.

Penn State indeed seemed to be on a different athletic level. Its players were able to aggressively hit over Harvard blocks and put up stifling blocks to silence the Crimson's offensive firepower.

Despite this dominance, Harvard, to its credit, was able to accomplish one of its pregame goals. Penn State is a tough serving team, and the Crimson was able to limit the Nittany Lions' serving attack to six aces and to force 26 service errors.

"Going into the game, our biggest concern was being able to handle their jump serves, and we actually did an excellent job passing last night," said senior outside hitter Joe Herger. "Our ball control was probably the one bright spot."

The loss on Saturday ended the Crimson's season, but more importantly, ended the careers of two of Harvard's most prolific players.

Pankau and Herger, who have played all four years together under two different coaches, responded to the close of their Harvard volleyball careers.

"After [former Coach] Ihsan Gurdal retired, there were some guys who didn't want to come back, and I thought about not playing this season," Herger said. "Looking back, I'm glad I was a part of all this team accomplished this year."

"I'm going to miss each and every one of the guys so much," Pankau said. "They've made this year an unforgettable season, not only on the court but off as well. I guess everything must come to an end, especially my collegiate volleyball career, and I couldn't have asked for a better team or season to end it with."

Herger, who finished this season second in the nation in digs per game, ends his Harvard career with 497 digs and 575 kills.

Pankau, who ranks nationally in blocks per game (T-11th with 1.58) and hitting percentage (T-11th with .434), draws the curtain on his four-year performance with 491 blocks and 733 kills.

Both leaders will be sorely missed, but their contributions to advancing Harvard's men's volleyball into the next decade will not be soon forgotten.