Beast of the East?

The fourth-ranked men's volleyball team (10-1) will look to establish itself as the answer to that question when it takes on George Mason in Fairfax, Va. at 7:30 tonight. The game marks the beginning of the Lions' regular-season EIVA schedule.

The Lions have already defeated the Patriots twice this season, both times in tournaments. At the Nittany Lion Invitational on Feb. 1, Penn State defeated George Mason, 15-13, 5-15, 15-1, 15-10. Junior outside hitter Jason Robinson led the Patriots with 14 kills and 6'7" junior middle blocker Scott Metcalf (ranked 12th nationally in blocking last season) added 11. Charlie Bertran led Penn State with 17 kills.

Also, in the Dutch Country Classic on Feb. 8, the Lions defeated the Patriots three sets to one.

"We have seen them enough," assistant coach Mark Pavlik said. "We have a pretty good feel for what they do."

The Patriots have the potential to be dangerous, he added.

"They are in a position where if they do some good things it could snowball," he said. "We've got to be ready for that snowball when it comes rolling down the hill."

He said that the Lions should be prepared for a long match tonight, since the Patriots will be playing on their home floor.

Penn State will look to rebound from two losses to Manitoba last week. Neither loss counted on the Lions' record, but their flat play in a three-set loss to the Bisons on Saturday in the finals of a four-team tournament left many players confused. Especially since it came on the heels of two victories over then-No. 3 UCLA.

"Against UCLA we were crisp and everything flowed real nice," junior outside hitter Tom Gingrich said. Gingrich and senior setter Scott Miller were bothered by the flu last weekend.

"I don't think we've played at the top of our game (since the UCLA matches)," senior outside hitter Jorge Perez added.

Pavlik said that there was a simple reason for Saturday's loss.

"The bottom line is that Manitoba outworked us," he said.

He stressed that the Lions will have to maintain an even keel throughout the season.

"We can't let losses like Manitoba affect us," he said. "We have to balance out the highs and lows."

Penn State will continue their EIVA schedule when they travel to Navy tomorrow night to take on the Midshipmen.