Loyola has all but one vote for #1 in this week's AVCA poll, but the near concensus #1 team will have a big challenge on Friday with the trip to Penn State. Since Loyola began the men's volleyball program in 1996, the Ramblers are 9-10 all time against Penn State, but 0-8 in State College. In fact, Loyola has only managed to win 1 set ever out of the 25 they've played there.

Meanwhile, Penn State began the season ranked #3 in the preseason poll, but lost both matches in Hawaii to open the season and lost at Ball State and IPFW over the weekend. But the Nittany Lions, highly regarded at the beginning of the season and powered by senior All American Aaron Russell, are still clinging to the lowest rung of the rankings at #15 despite being 0-4. They've been to the NCAA tournament 16 years in a row, they've won 22 straight matches at home going back to 2013, and they're 41-1 at home over the past three seasons.

Loyola wins first set, 28-26.

Video here, if you have Ramblervision: http://www.loyolaramblers.com/collegesportslive/

Loyola wins 3-1 (28-26, 26-24, 23-25, 25-21) for their first win ever at Penn State. Owen McAndrews played in part of one set and sat the rest of the match. Hope he's OK.... I thought he didn't look 100% in the first few matches this year.

Glad to see the hard fought victory. Hope there will not be a major "let down" tomorrow night. I think the coaching staff believes McAndrews is out of position at opp. Plaisted has much more experience at that position from club and high school, and they want to see what he can do.

I was very happy to see Novotny serving in the final stretch of that key fourth set. His serves kept Penn State off balance and allowed Loyola to get a little "breathing room." His serving appears to have improved significantly since last year.

Go Ramblers!