Trojans fall to Ohio State

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on February 6, 2012 1:48 PM

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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Strong competition makes you better.

Let's just hope it doesn't ruin your pyschy.

Mount Olive extended Ohio State to an extra set point, but dropped a 25-16, 25-17, 26-24 decision to the reigning NCAA Division I national champion on day two of the Penn State Invitational. One day earlier, the Trojans were dealt a 25-20, 25-6, 25-12 setback against the Nittany Lions.

The losses ended a stretch of five matches against Division I competition during a seven-day period. MOC lost a two-match series against former NCAA Division I champion IPFW last weekend.

Senior Alex Vazquez provided 13 kills and three digs against the No. 8-ranked Buckeyes on Saturday evening. The teams battled through 12 ties and MOC fended off four match points in the deciding third set before Ohio State completed the sweep.

Senior setter Jackson Metichechhia finished with 24 assists, while Hoelzl had two aces and nine digs. Dan Arnold also had nine digs.

Mount Olive gave Penn State all it wanted in the first set as the teams were tied 10 times before the Nittany Lions pulled away.

The Trojans were hurt by 19 attack errors in the match. Adam Miracle and Alex Rivero recorded five kills apiece for the Trojans. Metichechhia and Lukas Hoelzl had three digs apiece.

Penn State (5-1) also finished with 17 blocks.

Mount Olive (2-6 overall) returns home Tuesday for a battle against Conference Carolinas in-state foe Pfeiffer University. First serve is 7 p.m. inside Kornegay Arena.