Penn State’s starting opposite and 2017 All-EIVA choice Calvin Mende is currently dealing with an injury that kept him out of the team’s loss to Ohio State. It is unknown the effect of the injury and if it will continue to limit him this season.
The injury occurred on January 20 as Penn State defeated USC in five sets. Mende wasn’t a part of the 17-15 fifth set victory though, as he left in the fourth set following a 15 kill, six dig, three block performance. The team’s only match following that was the loss to Ohio State that Mende did not appear in.
On the season, the sophomore Mende has a team-best 3.07 kills per set to go with a .344 hitting percentage and 0.80 blocks per set. In 2017 as a redshirt freshman, Mende notched 325 kills (3.25 per set) on a .294 mark, 116 digs (1.16 per set) and 81 blocks (0.81 per set).
Mende’s replacement in the lineup is Aidan Albrecht, who has rotated over from outside hitter. Albrecht posted six kills and seven digs in the start at the right side against the Buckeyes.
The Nittany Lions will host (RV) Ball State on Friday and #15 Fort Wayne on Saturday.
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