UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – It was a match that just kept going and going.
There were 37 ties, 17 lead changes, both teams had numerous set points denied and each had a match point denied.
Finally, for just the second time in program history, Charleston walked away on top in an EIVA Championship Tournament first-round match.
The Eagles survived 21-25, 25-18, 26-24, 23-25, 17-15 on April 22 at Penn State’s Rec Hall, advancing to the semifinals April 23 to meet No. 1 seed Penn State.
The teams combined for 99 kills on 237 swings, 20 aces, 29.5 blocks and 69 digs in a contest that lasted 2 hours, 42 minutes.
The outcome spoiled the hopes of a Pioneer program that was playing in the EIVA tournament for the first time since 2017, though they did appear in the NEC tournament
Stats
Charleston hit 55-28-122 .221, 9 aces, 50 assists, 37 digs, 14.5 digs
Samuel Alo 18 kills, 3 aces, 11 digs
Lucas Torres 15 kills, 7 blocks
Max Nissen 8 kills, 2 aces, 5 blocks
Pavlin Ivanov 4 kills, 10 blocks
Yotam Briger 29 assists, 6 digs
Sacred Heart 44-30-115 .122, 11 aces, 38 assists, 32 digs, 15 blocks
Aleksa Mandic 15 kills, 5 digs
Petr Beranek 13 kills, 3 aces
Aaron Johnson 5 kills, 3 aces, 7 blocks
Jaron Popp 5 kills, 7 blocks
Armaan Dosanjh 34 assists, 9 digs, 4 blocks
Harryzen Soares 11 digs
Post-match comments
Charleston Robert Poole
“This result is what they deserve, but it leaves them hungry for a little bit more tomorrow.”
“The way the guys battled, there were moments where you saw a little bit of fear. I think what that turned into by the end was when we were trading points at that last set where it was 13-12, it was 11-10 … just that mentality that we learned today of fighting through.”
Libero Joonatan Salpakari
“It’s a big confidence booster for us coming for tomorrow and I think we can learn a lot from this win, being down in the fifth set 14-13 and still turning the game to our side.”
Sacred Heart coach Adam Niemczynowicz
“It’s tough. I’m happy and proud of the guys and how they competed.”
“It’s really hard to stay at the high level, optimal level, for three hours. You’ve got to stay patient and keep going and hoping your form, your moment comes and you’ll be ready for it.”
Outside hitter Jaron Popp
“This year is a massive step in the right direction for our program and our guys. We’re not losing many people next year, so we’re going to have a strong core.”