The men's volleyball team handled the challenge of 23 Penn State alumni in five straight sets Saturday in the annual alumni match in Rec Hall's South Gym.

The alumni came from various eras, the earliest being 1971 graduate Bob Shaffer.

Also represented were six members of the 1976 squad which brought Penn State its first United States Volleyball Association national championship. Representing this 15th anniversary squad were All-Americans Tom Hahn and John Phillips, Larry Wile, Frank Guadagino, Frank Agnew and Carey Seavy.

Coaching the alumni squad was Dr. Tom Tait, the 1969 club team coach, who carried the volleyball program into varsity status. Despite losing the five sets, 15-3, 15-4, 15-12, 15-8, 15-10, Tait said the alumni accomplished its goals.

"In alumni matches, you are really trying to do a couple of different things that don't have an awful lot to do with competition on the floor," Tait said. "They have to do with making sure that the current players understand their roots and where they came from, and to give the alumni some recognition, many of whom had almost no recognition when they were here."

From a competitive standpoint, Tait said he tried to make lineups that he thought would work well together by matching players from the same era or players that have previously played together.

"In a realistic sense, you don't expect an alumni group, especially when you got lots of players that you are mixing in to be able to compete with a top level team," Tait said. "But it is a lot of fun and something the alumni look forward to every year."

Alumnus Stew Russell, an honorable mention All-American, was pleased with his team's performance.

"We didn't play for a bunch of guys who can't get together and practice," Russell, a 1986 graduate, said. "And at times we pushed those guys a little bit, which is good. We did come out and give them some good games towards the end. Maybe they were taking us a little lightly."

From what he saw, Tait expected the 1991 Lions to be able to compete with anyone.

"It's a fine group," he said. "They have the makings of a really outstanding team. I am looking forward to following them this season."

Russell also expects continued success for the Lions, citing excellent conditioning and quickness.

"We had a two-passer system," said Russell, referring to his varsity team. "We did some quick things, and these guys really perfected it."

Absent from the alumni squad was 1988 graduate Javier Gaspar. Gaspar, a setter, is currently with the U.S. men's national team and recently was named MVP of the squad.