Penn State, Long Beach State to play each other in 2014 season

For the first time in three years, Penn State and Long Beach State will play each other in non-conference play.

Nittany Lions coach Mark Pavlik said in a recent interview with Off the Block that Penn State will travel to play Long Beach State as part of the annual Active Ankle Tournament during the 2014 season.

The Volleyball DebateBoth teams finished last season ranked in the national coaches poll. Penn State won its 15th consecutive EIVA championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, while Long Beach State reached the MPSF Tournament championship match and just missed the lone at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Long Beach State and Penn State also return a majority of their starters from the 2013 season, including All-American outside attackers Taylor Crabb and Aaron Russell.

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This is the first time since 2011 that the Nittany Lions will play in the 49ers’ home non-conference tournament. Long Beach State is 15-6 all-time against Penn State, but the two teams have split their six matches dating back to 2006.

The Active Ankle Tournament will be second time in the 2014 season that Penn State will travel to play MPSF teams. The Nittany Lions will also open their season in Hawaii at the Outrigger Invitational, Pavlik said.

Penn State last season went 1-2 against the MPSF in non-conference regular season play, including a five-game victory against Hawai’i at the Outrigger Invitational.