The Penn State men’s volleyball team has had a challenging start to their 2025 season, sitting at 0-4. This marks the program’s worst start in nearly ten years.
Head coach Mark Pavlik believes that staying focused and maintaining a positive mindset will be key to turning things around.
The team’s schedule has been difficult, with all four losses coming on the road against ranked opponents. The team is set to return home this Thursday to play Ohio State for the first time this season. Pavlik emphasized that while the tough travel schedule cannot be used as an excuse, it can serve as an opportunity to showcase resilience.
“We’re putting our guys through a little bit of a grind, but it’s something every team has to deal with,” Pavlik said.
Despite the team’s struggles, Pavlik is eager to see how his players handle adversity.
“It’ll be interesting to see how our personality emerges. It’s part of the fun,” he said.
A key focus for Pavlik in overcoming setbacks is leadership. He stresses that leadership should come from everyone on the team, regardless of age or experience.
“I think everyone in any group, whether in sports or business, has to lead at some point,” Pavlik said. “The younger players are very open to learning and understanding these concepts.”
Pavlik also emphasized the importance of focusing on what the team can control. In volleyball, players cannot control the score at all times. If they want to succeed, they must avoid getting caught up in what’s out of their control and stay focused on technique.
“Believe in the process. The score is just that—it doesn’t stop you from doing anything, nor does it enhance you,” Pavlik said.
While he acknowledges the challenge, Pavlik is committed to helping his team understand and apply these principles as they work through their difficulties.
Despite the team’s winless record, Pavlik remains optimistic. He believes that the team will soon see the rewards of their hard work in the form of victories.
“We’re capable of playing at a high physical level, but we’re struggling to maintain consistency,” he said, referencing strong performances in the second set of the Loyola match and the third set against UCLA.
With several new starters this season, Pavlik points to their inexperience as a factor in the team’s lack of consistency so far.
“It’s expected from a group with newcomers like Matthew Luoma and Sean Harvey making their first starts, and Michael Schwob, who competed for the job last year,” Pavlik said.
While facing challenges, Pavlik is confident that as the season progresses, the team’s performance will improve.
“I believe we’ll be playing very good volleyball by the end of March and into April,” he said.
Related Topics
- How Can I Play Volleyball at Home?
- How Big Is a Backyard Volleyball Court?
- How Do You Jump in Beach Volleyball?