Purcell grad prepares for return to Penn State
Keep an eye on Max Holt, because in the next few years the 2005 Purcell Marian graduate may well find himself in the Olympic games.
At least his collegiate volleyball coach thinks so, Penn State University head coach Mark Pavlik said.
Entering his junior season on the court for Penn State, Holt recently competed with the U.S. Men's Junior National team at the Junior World Championships in Morocco.
The competition concluded July 15 as the U.S. men finished the event in seventh place with Brazil, Russia and Iran taking the top three positions in the tournament, respectively.
"Unless we can find a way to get him 10 more years of eligibility, Max is heading into his junior season," Pavlik joked about one of his favorite players.
Since 1999, the Nittany Lions haven't missed out on a trip to the National Championships, represented by the Final-Four round in college volleyball.
As a starter during his freshman season, an ace from Holt in the National Championship semi-finals against UC-Irvine propelled Penn State to the national finals.
Despite losing to UCLA in the finals, Pavlik was impressed by the poise his freshman starter showed in the match.
With Holt standing at the back of the court preparing to serve for the win, Penn State was leading UC-Irvine by a score of 14-13 when the automatic lights in the arena went dark.
After a 14-minute delay, the composed freshman returned to the court to dispose of UC-Irvine.
"(UC-Irvine) took a time-out to try to ice him, and then the lights went out," Pavlik remembered.
Angela Holt, Max's mother, continued the story.
"It took 15 minutes for the lights to come back on. ESPN was there and there was all this drama," Angela said. "He still aced it and won the game."
For two years, Holt hasn't had a night off, starting in every match for Penn State since his arrival at college.
During Penn State's 22-8 season in 2007, Holt was one of two Nittany Lions to play in all 107 of the team's games, leading the Nittany Lions in blocks per game with 1.21.
With its only national championship stemming from the 1994 season, Pavlik believes the elusive crown will be within his team's reach during Holt's final seasons with the program.
"I think we are talented enough to win a national championship," Pavlik said. "The real test will be (during practice), every day in our gym.
"By default, guys are going to look to him," Pavlik said of younger players on the team looking to the emerging star for leadership.
According to Pavlik, his relationship with Holt is nearly perfect.
Perfect, that is, until Pavlik's Pittsburgh Steelers face off against Max's Cincinnati Bengals two times each NFL season.
"The only detrimental thing about Max is that he came in as a huge Bengals' fan," Pavlik joked. "At least two Sundays every fall, there are bragging rights on the line.
"(Max) has been an absolute joy to have on this team, and thankfully I have two more years with him," Pavlik said. "When he graduates, it will be a sad day for me personally."