University Park, Pa. – January 22, 2011 – The Springfield College men’s volleyball team dropped its third-straight match on Saturday afternoon as it fell to Penn State in an Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Tait Conference match. The Nittany Lions won the three-game sweep by the scores of 25-22, 25-15, 25-18.

The Pride, the top-ranked team in Division III, drop to 1-4 on the season, and have been swept in all four of its losses, including a pair of matches to league foes. The Nittany Lions, who are currently ranked ninth in Division I, are now 4-1 on the year, including 2-0 in league play.

Alberto Bravo led Springfield with eight kills, while Cal Palumbo added five kills, three blocks, and two service aces. Nick Ferry led the defensive effort with eight digs and Mike Becker was credited with 25 assists.

Joe Sunder led the Nittany Lions with a match-high 15 kills at a .357 clip, while Dennis Del Valle posted 10 digs for the hosts. As a team, Penn State hit .316 for the match, while the Pride were limited to just a .114 hitting percentage.

Springfield’s closest set was the opening one, as it found itself tied at 19 after Palumbo and Tommy Crow combined for a block. Penn State called a timeout and went to Sunder for a kill, only to have Palumbo answer back to make it 20-all. From there, it was all Sunder and Jace Olsen as the duo combined for four kills en route to the 25-22 victory.

The Pride will play its first Division III opponent of the 2011 season on Friday evening as it hosts Emmanuel at 7:00 pm.