As a freshman it often can be hard to get noticed behind a large array of returning upperclassmen, however, 6′ 11” Calvin Mende is showing off his talent this season. Mende is this week’s VolleyMob Player of the Week after his impressive contributions for Penn State, helping lead the Nittany Lions to two five set victories.
For the week, Mende averaged 4.30 kills/set, hitting for .551, while defensively he totaled 12 blocks (1.20 blocks/set). Mende is currently ranked fifth in the EIVA with total kills (143) and eighth in kills/set (3.11).
To start off the week, Mende posted 14 kills for the Nittany Lions, as they outlasted NJIT on the road in five sets. On top of his 14 kills, he posted a .393 hitting percentage, picked up seven digs while also adding six blocks to his tally.
His impressive work came in a five set victory over Princeton on the road, where Mende posted a career-best 29 kills on a .659 hitting percentage and only two errors, while also adding six blocks.
So far this season, Mende has put down 143 kills combining for a .339 hitting percentage. Defensively, he has picked up 54 digs and 35 blocks for the Nittany Lions. Mende ranks second on the team in points with 165.0.
Previous VolleyMob Players of the Week
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