Surviving an injury, a couple of sloppy games and a few tense moments, the men's volleyball collected two important league victories over the weekend. Tonight, Penn State places its two-match winning streak on the line against East Stroudsburg at 7:30 in South Gym.

With the wins, the Lions eclipsed the .500 plateau for the first time in nearly three weeks. In addition, Penn State graps first-place in the EIVA Big Five division, a lead the Lions share with Rutgers-Newark.

"They (East Stroudsburg) are a team that is not as strong," said Coach Tom Peterson, "but they are a team that has nothing to lose. They are going to try and dig everything we send at them."

Last year, for the first time in the last nine years, East Stroudsburg finished below the .500 mark. However, with three returning starters and seven letter-winners, Warriors Coach Bob Sweeney pledges that the 1992 campaign will be different.

"We have more experience and we are stronger and more skillful than last year," said Sweeney, a veteran 15-year coach. "Our goal is to win the EIVA Division II championship and also to reach the overall EIVA Final Four."

The Warrior offense revolves around senior setter Ev Nicholas. Senior Eduardo Colon, who spent much of the 1991 season on the disabled list, shares the setting duties and also serves as an outside hitter. Senior middle blocker Vasilis Karkalis, who earned Second Team All-EIVA status in 1990, returns to the Warrior lineup after a one-year absence.

Ricky Roper, who injuried an ankle in the Saturday's Navy match, is questionable for tonight's contest. Before leaving, Roper totaled one kill in seven attempts. Against George Mason on Friday, Roper collected 15 kills on offense and 13 digs on defense.

Last year, the Lions defeated the Warriors twice. Both victories, a March meeting in Stroudsburg and April meeting in Rec Hall, were three-game sweeps. Overall, since 1977, the Lions hold the series edge, 31-5.