Puerto Rican volleyball promises clash at Penn State

February 20, 2011

By: Rafael R. Díaz-Torres
Puerto Rico Daily Sun

University Park, PA

The list of Puerto Rican college volleyball players in the United States continues to grow and the island’s federation for that sport must take note on the big pool of talent available for its national program.

On another exciting volleyball match between Puerto Rican prospects, the no. 11 Penn State Nittany Lions had a five set Saturday victory (24-26, 25-12, 25-23, 22-25, 15-9) against the Lees McRae Bobcats.

For the winners, Redshirt Junior Edgardo Goas (San Juan, PR) contributed with 46 assists and Senior Libero Dennis Del Valle (Toa Alta, PR) led his team with 13 digs.

The Division I Nittany Lions faced a Division II team that played hard and tried to steal a game from a decimated Penn State team that did not have their best hitter Joe Sunder for the second consecutive day. He was not in uniform on the victory that his team had Friday night against Mount Olive.

“I take my hat off to Lees McRae. They never let us off the hook”, said Penn State head coach Mark Pavlik.

“The beauty of men’s volleyball is that guys are physical. You don’t face a team who cannot bounce balls and block it out of bounds. That’s what makes every team dangerous”, added Pavlik.

For Penn State, Sophomore Tom Comfort had a team-high 19 kills.

The young team from Lees McRae had Eduardo González (San Juan, PR) as its outside hitter and Randy Ramírez (Guaynabo, PR) playing as setter. Both members of the Bobcats are participating on their first NCAA year of competition.

“Randy and Eddie are definitely two of our open coming freshmen talent. I thought they did their job for the team. They were great” expressed James Goodridge, head coach for the Bobcats.

Ramírez, who is an alumnus of Marista Catholic School in Guaynabo, finished the game with 45 assists. González scored 13 kills and was the second best hitter for Lees McRae.

Penn State now plays for 11-3 nationally (4-0 EIVA Conference). Lees McRae suffered its seventh loss of the season and has a record of 8-7 (1-1 Conference Carolinas).

(The photo is a courtesy of Roberto I. Albandoz Carrasquillo.)