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Two top 10 nationally ranked teams losing and multiple teams extended double-digit winning streaks were among the headlines the last few days.
Check out the five things to take away from the college men’s volleyball matches this weekend.
1. USC at home stuns Long Beach State — Opposite Tanner Jansen and outside attacker Lucas Yoder each had more than 20 kills as No. 7 USC upset No. 2 Long Beach State in four games on Saturday in Los Angeles. This was Long Beach State’s second consecutive loss and the second straight match the 49ers were held to less than a .200 attack percentage. In addition, USC with this victory jumped into fifth place in the MPSF standings.
2. Loyola keeps on winning — No. 1 Loyola extended its winning streak to a nation-best 17 matches with non-conference victories against Penn State and St. Francis during the weekend. The Ramblers in the victory against the Nittany Lions finished with a .410 attack percentage and had three players with double-digit kills, including outside attacker Thomas Jaeschke who had a match-high 19 kills.
3. Russell shines in Penn State win — Outside attacker Aaron Russell had a season-high 22 kills and added four aces to lead Penn State to a road upset victory against No. 10 Lewis on Saturday. This also was the first non-conference road win for the Nittany Lions this season — snapping a five-match losing streak in those matches dating back to last season.
4. Ball State takes down rival Ohio State — Ball State defeated Ohio State in four games on Sunday to complete the program’s first regular season series sweep against the Buckeyes since 2002. All-American middle attacker Kevin Owens in the conference victory had a season-high 16 kills on a .800 attack percentage, while All-American middle attacker Matt Leske led all players with six blocks. With this victory, Ball State extends its winning streak to 10 matches and remains in second place in the MIVA.
5. Barton clinches first postseason berth — After winning a combined two matches in its first two seasons, Barton completed its turnaround this season and clinched its first postseason appearance in program history. Barton defeated King and Lees-McRae during the weekend to move to fifth place in the Conference Carolinas standings and to be assured a spot in the upcoming conference tournament.