The men's volleyball team went into last night's match looking to halt a three-game losing streak.

No. 5 Penn State did it in a grand fashion by sweeping Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association-rival East Stroudsburg on its home court, 15-4, 15-8 and 15-13. The win ups the Lions' record to 17-4, 3-0 in the EIVA.

Ramon Hernandez led the team with 14 kills. Outside hitters Ed Josefoski and Ricky Roper added 13 and nine, respectively. Josefoski also contributed four jump serve aces.

Defensively, Hernandez had seven digs and outside hitter Aaron Zoerner chipped in six. Hernandez, Zoerner and outside hitter Tom Gingrich all were credited with three blocks.

Penn State started with its normal lineup in the first game. Substitutions were made in the second game, so the coaching staff could see some different offensive looks. For instance, Hernandez was moved from his normal middle blocker position to the outside. Josefoski, Roper and Zoerner all came off the bench to key the Lions' victory.

"It was a nice little opportunity to work on some things," assistant coach Mark Pavlik said. "We didn't see anything drastically wrong with it."

The Lions came out real strong in the first two games, playing at a level Penn State is capable of playing, Pavlik said. By the third game, East Stroudsburg settled down and had some quality swings, he added.

"They didn't lay on their backs and say, 'Please go away,' " Pavlik said.

Yesterday's victory over the Warriors sets the stage for the Lions' match with No. 13 Ball State (10-12) at 6 tonight in the semifinals of the Golden Dome Classic in Newark, N.J.

"Anytime after a quality performance, you feel good going into the next match," Pavlik said. "We are looking at what we need to do right now."

This will be Ball State's third attempt to knock off Penn State. The Cardinals fell twice to Penn State in the Nittany Lion Invitational on Feb. 1-2. In both matches the Lions dropped the first game. In pool play, the Lions prevailed 8-15, 15-4, 15-10 and 15-10. In the finals of the tourney, Penn State triumphed 12-15, 15-8, 15-6 and 16-14.

"They will be trying to avenge the losses they had at our place," Pavlik said. "(The match) might wind up going four or five games."

Penn State sports a 26-4 lifetime record against Ball State since the series began in 1977.

The other semifinal pits No. 19 Princeton (13-4) and host Rutgers-Newark (8-13), currently ranked No. 16.

Penn State has also defeated Rutgers-Newark this season, also in the Nittany Lion Invitational. The consolation and championship matches are slated for tomorrow at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively.

Penn State has not earned the tournament title since 1987.

After the tourney, the Lions will return to the unfamiliar confines of Rec Hall on March 23 for its first home match since their Feb. 13 exhibition against Manitoba. Penn State will face EIVA-rival George Mason. Penn State has beaten George Mason three times so far this season.