Penn State Men’s Volleyball Stays Perfect with Dominant Sweep Over St. Thomas Aquinas
UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State came out firing on all cylinders Thursday night, and the result was a clean, no-nonsense sweep of St. Thomas Aquinas at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions, ranked No. 13 nationally, handled business in straight sets - 25-19, 25-20, 25-14 - to improve to 3-0 on the young season.
This one was never really in doubt. From the opening serve, Penn State controlled the tempo, showcased its depth, and got contributions from just about everyone in the rotation.
Leading the charge was Gaige Gabriel, who put together a stat line that jumps off the page: 10 kills on a blistering .571 hitting percentage, four blocks, an ace, and a dig. Simply put, Gabriel was everywhere - at the net, behind the line, and in transition.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. The Nittany Lions spread the wealth offensively, with four players registering six or more kills. That kind of balance is a nightmare for opposing defenses, and it’s a testament to the smooth operation of Penn State’s two-setter system.
Freshman Jaxon Herr got the nod to start and ran the offense for the first two sets. He dished out 26 assists and had the team humming at a .440 clip.
Then came Michael Schwob in the third, and the rhythm didn’t skip a beat - nine assists and a .438 team hitting percentage in the final frame. When your second setter steps in and the offense keeps rolling at an elite level, you know you’ve got something special brewing.
Sean Harvey was another standout, racking up nine kills while hitting a scorching .615. He also added five blocks, three digs, and three aces - the kind of all-around performance that sets the tone on both sides of the ball. Harvey’s presence at the service line gave the Spartans fits and helped Penn State build momentum in key stretches.
Owen Rose was flawless on the attack, going six-for-six without an error. That kind of efficiency doesn’t just happen - it’s the product of smart sets, sharp timing, and a hitter who knows how to finish. Mathew Luoma chipped in eight kills of his own, plus two aces and two blocks, rounding out a front line that was both powerful and precise.
This matchup marked the first-ever meeting between Penn State and St. Thomas Aquinas, and while the Spartans showed flashes, they couldn’t keep pace with the Nittany Lions’ firepower and depth. Penn State dictated the match from start to finish, showing why they’re a top-15 team with serious postseason aspirations.
Next up, the Nittany Lions stay home to host Lewis College on Saturday night at Rec Hall. With the offense clicking, the defense holding strong, and contributions coming from across the roster, this team is starting to look like a well-oiled machine - and they’re just getting started.