ELIZABETHTOWN -- For the men's volleyball team, one victory over UCLA was nice. But two victories in three days -- that's inconceivable.

Or at least it was.

The Lions (9-1) established themselves as a force to be reckoned with -- and not just in the East -- by defeating the Bruins (4-3) in the finals of the Dutch Country Classic at Elizabethtown College on Saturday night, 15-5, 16-14, 15-12. It completed a three-day stretch in which the Lions also defeated George Mason in four games on Friday night, and UCLA in four games on Thursday night.

"To (beat UCLA) once, that's pretty neat," Coach Tom Peterson said. "But to do it twice in the same swing -- that's really difficult."

And to sweep them?

"I was surprised because they played pretty well against Manitoba," senior setter Scott Miller said. "Overall it was one of our better matches."

Its a far cry from last year, when the Lions struggled not only with the physical aspect of the game, but also with the mental aspect. Peterson was more than happy with the development of the Lions' No. 1 goal for the season, team cohesion.

"It's got to be at one of the highest points this season and at Penn State," Peterson said.

"As a team we have the feeling that we know that the match is ours," Miller added.

And although the mental attitude is strong, there has been a noted physical improvement as well. The passing in both UCLA matches was immaculate at times. At one point senior outside hitter Charlie Bertran, who played despite a painful shoulder injury, ran into the Penn State bench to save a ball. Bertran finished with 17 kills and 15 digs.

"We've got to beat (teams with) quickness," Peterson said.

"With a good pass our players are so versatile that we can do anything," Miller added.

And they seemingly did everything Saturday night. Even Bertran, who was told before the game by the UCLA trainer that he may be out for three weeks, was strong.

"It was a gutsy performance," Miller said. "He played real well blocking and offensively."

"I'm surprised that (Charlie) was even in there," Peterson said. "(Yesterday) morning he was walking around in a sling."

The Lions will need Bertran now if they hope to continue their winning ways and avoid a letdown.

"We have to be careful," Miller said. "We've got to keep on staying steady and playing well at every match."