STATE COLLEGE, Pa., September 5, 2001 -- Penn State head men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik served as Head of Delegation for the U.S men's volleyball team that brought home the gold from the World University Games in Bejing, China, this past week. It was the first-ever gold medal won by the men's volleyball World University Games team, and the first men's gold medal at any level since the 1988 Olympic champions.
In the gold medal match the U.S. defeated France three games to one. The gold-medal finish is the second World University Games medal of any color for the U.S. The previous best finish came 10 years ago with a silver medal at the 1991 Games in England.
The U.S recorded a 7-0 mark during tournament play and lost only four individual games. The team was made up of outstanding collegiate players throughout the U.S. and included athletes from Stanford, Long Beach State, Ohio State, Pepperdine, BYU, Ball State, UC Santa Barbara and IPFW.
Pavlik represented the Nittany Lions serving as the Head of Delegation. This was Pavlik's third World University Games, as he was Head of Delegation for the 1993 Games in Buffalo, N.Y. and assistant coach for the Japan Games in 1995. As Head of Delegation, Pavlik acted as an administrative liaison and a practice coach.
The Nittany Lion men will open their fall season as they host perennial men's volleyball power Hawaii Friday and Saturday, November 2-3 at Rec Hall.
Penn State will also host the 2002 NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships. The national semifinals will be held Thursday, May 2, with the National Championship match being played on Saturday, May 4. Times are to be determined by television needs. All session ticket prices are $20 for adults and $12 for youth, students and senior citizens.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets can pick up and drop off applications at the Bryce Jordan Center Athletic Ticket office during normal business hours and at the Rec Hall Ticket office during all Rec Hall events. All ticket orders will be filled and mailed beginning Monday, January 14, 2002.
Visit our website at www.GoPSUsports.com or call 814-863-1000 or 1-800-833-5533.
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