Penn State men’s volleyball had three players named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-America Teams, according to a May 6 announcement. Sean Harvey was selected for the second team, while Ryan Merk and Owen Rose received honorable mentions.
The recognition highlights the achievements of Penn State athletes during a season in which the team won both the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) regular season and tournament titles.
Harvey led Penn State with his selection to the second team after being named EIVA Player of the Year and EIVA Tournament MVP. He finished as conference leader in hitting percentage at .329 and averaged 3.59 kills per set, recording double-digit kills in 24 out of 30 matches. His performance included nine consecutive matches with double-digit kills through both EIVA Tournament games and one NCAA Tournament match.
Merk concluded his collegiate career by earning All-America status each year he played at Penn State, with second team honors in 2024 and honorable mentions in other seasons. Known for his passing skills, Merk played 18 matches this season without allowing an ace and led the EIVA in digs per set with a mark of 2.11.
Rose earned his third career honorable mention All-America honor this year, having previously received it in both 2023 and 2024. He is expected to finish as national leader in blocks per set at 1.42, highlighted by breaking Penn State’s all-time record for blocks in a match with fourteen against Harvard. Rose also contributed offensively by hitting .391 with an average of 1.29 kills per set.
Penn State completed its season with a record of 22-8 overall, capturing its fourth-consecutive EIVA Tournament crown after finishing undefeated (12-0) in conference play during the regular season before advancing to face UC Irvine in five sets during the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.
