When Aaron Zoerner transferred to Penn State from Southwestern University last season, he left behind his role as the starting center on the basketball team.

But Ball State discovered something on Saturday -- Aaron knows volleyball, too.

Zoerner, a sophomore outside hitter playing his first year of organized volleyball, started in place of sophomore David Muir in three of four games of the finals of the Nittany Lion Invitational against Ball State. He had 14 kills and paced the Lions' 12-15, 15-8, 15-6, 16-14 win with a .542 attack percentage.

"Aaron sparked this team (Saturday)," assistant coach Mark Pavlik said.

Zoerner is just part of the Lions' immense depth, Coach Tom Peterson added.

"We are so deep as far as athletes and ability this year," he said.

"I think you'll see a lot of new faces in the lineup," said outside hitter Tom Gingrich, a member of the All-Tournament team.

In fact, the team is so deep that sophomore outside hitter Tito Nunez, a starter last season, did not see any action this weekend.

"He was a starter last year and he may be a starter this year," Peterson said. "It's up to him."

"Everybody is going to have a shot at certain points in the season," Pavlik said. "We've got some great depth."

The current starting lineup consists of Gingrich, senior setter Scott Miller, senior outside hitters Jorge Perez and Charlie Bertran, freshman middle blocker Ramon Hernandez and Muir.

Pavlik was happy with the cooperative atmosphere between setters Miller and Jim Schall.

"Between the two of them, we have two very good setting minds," Pavlik said.

Other tournament notes:

-- In addition to Gingrich, Miller was named to the All-Tournament team and Perez was named MVP. Other All-Tournament selections included Raul Papaleo of Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne, Rodney Morgan and Stefan Stamato of Ball State and Scott Metcalf of George Mason.

-- The Lions got a good glimpse at a few of their EIVA opponents this weekend, defeating George Mason, Rutgers-Newark and Ball State twice.

"I think we are (at) a little bit higher (level) than some of the teams now," Gingrich said.

Pavlik was wary of one Eastern opponent, though.

"I'm scared of George Mason," Pavlik said. "They do some nice things. The one thing that this (tournament championship) does not do is win us an EIVA Championship."

-- Junior middle blocker Winfield Evens is still sidelined with a shoulder injury.

"They're not real sure what's wrong with him," Peterson said. "The next couple of weeks will tell."