While most teams in most sports prefer to start the season with matches against lollipop opponents, the men's volleyball team begins its season today and tomorrow against some of the top teams in the nation.

The Mizuno-Nittany Lion Invitational begins at 9 this morning in Rec Hall's Main and South Gyms. Highlighting the field are three of the Top 10 teams in Volleyball Monthly's preseason poll -- No. 5 Ball State, No. 8 Penn State and No. 10 George Mason.

The teams will split into two four-team pools for today's action. Penn State (1-0, with the win coming in November against UCLA), Rutgers- Newark, Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne and Navy will compete in the Main Gym, while Ball State, George Mason, Ohio State and the New Jersey Institute of Technology will be in the South Gym.

The Lions' matches today are scheduled for 9 a.m. (Navy), noon (Rutgers- Newark) and 7 p.m. (Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne).

Passing and blocking will be keys to success for Penn State this weekend.

"I think we have to pass real well and we have to continue working with our defense," senior co-captain John Wasielewski said. "(But) I think the main part is staying composed and staying within ourselves."

"I think we have to concentrate on our passing and our blocking," junior Larry Perry said. "What we've been concentrating on this week in practice is working on our attack. We've been scrimmaging a lot."

The Lions' blocking was often weak against the alumni squad last Saturday and could be a problem against the top teams in the country.

"I think the more they play, the more that they get comfortable with the system of blocking that we're using," assistant coach Mark Pavlik said. "We're going to get better as the year goes on. The guys haven't really stopped working at it and I think that's a real good sign."

Tomorrow, all matches will be held in the South Gym. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the semifinals, which will be held at 11:30 a.m. The championship match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Consolation matches will also be held Saturday at 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

With five matches in two days, a number of players should see playing time, although exactly how much will depend on how well Penn State can handle a lesser opponent, such as Navy.

"I think there's a couple guys that we could have in and out," Coach Tom Peterson said. "It just depends on how the lineup works."

"If we play as we're capable of playing, we should have control of the match," Pavlik added. "If Navy plays well and just fights for control of it also, it's going to be real tough to try to work people in."

Middle blockers Todd Shirley, Winfield Evens, Tito Nunez and Kevin Mosbacher will continue their battle for starting spots, as will setters Scott Miller and Jim Schall. Behind starting outside hitters Charlie Bertran and Jorge Perez, reserves Perry and Tom Gingrich will see action.

"I know Coach will probably be looking to see who plays well," Perry said. "It'll be a test for people who are vying for positions."

Right-side hitter Guillo Silva's status -- he's recovering from a broken finger on his right hand -- has been upgraded to probable, but if he can't play, Wasielewski will.

Also expected to see key playing time is freshman defensive specialist Mike Schall.

If the Lions are to win the tournament, they will likely have to get by arch-rival George Mason and Ball State tomorrow.

No. 5 Ball State (2-0) is led by a pair of 1989 All-Americans, setter Chris Cooper and outside attacker Chris Beerman. Middle blocker Kevin Furnish, who led the nation in hitting percentage last year, makes Ball State tough up front.

The Lions have faired well against Ball State over the years, winning 24 of 28 matches, including the consolation match at the Final Four last May.

George Mason always presents a fierce challenge to the Lions. The Patriots should be even more fired up, even though they are coming off a 14-17 season. And they have extra incentive to make it to the Final Four this year, since it is being held on their home court.

The Patriots are led by All-American outside hitter Robbie Bailey, who totaled 40 service aces and 326 digs last year, and senior middle blocker Bob Rubino.

In today's pool play, both Rutgers-Newark and Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne should offer the Lions a challenge.

Rutgers-Newark (2-0) will lend a touch of international flavor to the tournament. The team is led by Haitians Roselyn Desroches and Max Jeanty and Cyprus-native Stylianos Savva.

Rutgers-Newark has handed Penn State more losses than any other team since the Lions joined the NCAA in 1977. Penn State, however, still holds a 33-17-1 series edge.

Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne is 0-1, having lost to Brigham Young. The Volleydons (the preferred nickname over Mastodons) should be stronger than last year's 21-9 squad because they have four returning starters. Look for junior middle hitters Matt Lacis and Tom Juhnke and sophomore setter Juan Ortiz to lead the way for the Volleydons.