Judging by Coach Tom Peterson's post-game speech, you would not believe that his team had just dropped a tough four-game match to the second-ranked Stanford Cardinal.

"My first comment in the locker room was that we are a much better team than played in the Main Gym last time (a three-game loss to Pepperdine)," Peterson said. "We are going to continue to get better. We were just a better team in every aspect of the game."

Employing Dave Goss's 21 kills and Brian Garnett's 20 kills, Stanford sputtered to a 6-15, 15-9, 15-10, 15-10 victory before 1,175 fans in Rec Hall. With the victory, the Cardinal advance to 14-2 on the season and halt Penn State's season-high winning streak at five games. The Lions, ranked twelfth in the nation, fall to 11-8.

An inspired David Muir led the Lions, as he collected 32 kills in 55 attempts. Middle blocker Roman Hernandez added 19 kills, while Brian Miller compiled 12 kills off the bench.

Coming off a match against George Mason last night, Stanford Coach Ruben Nieves kept two of his starters, outside hitters Goss and John Hribar, on the bench in the first game. The Lions, capitalizing on Stanford's depleted lineup, cruised to an easy victory in game one.

"We know Penn State is a good team," Nieves said, "but we have to play four matches in five nights, and when we get back, we have to play big league matches. We like playing good talent on the East coast, but we don't want to shoot ourselves in the foot."

However, Penn State rightside hitter Muir was disappointed with Nieves' personnel change.

"I was upset that they did not play all of their starters," Muir said. "I think it is disrespectful."

With Goss and Pittsburgh native Hribar in the lineup in the second game, the Cardinal took control of the match. Employing skilled ball control and a tough side out defense, Stanford dismantled the Lion attack, taking the final three games of the match.

Penn State did not fold easily, however, as it held Stanford at bay for nearly 20 minutes as they climbed back from an 8-4 deficit in the fourth game. The Lions narrowed the lead to one at 10-11, but they could not carry the momentum. After a time out, Stanford rattled off the next four points to capture the match.

Tonight, both teams will be in action in the four-team Dutch County Classic in Lancaster, Pa. In the first round, Penn State meets EIVA foe George Mason, while Stanford battles seventh-ranked Rutgers-Newark. The winners will meet in the championship game tomorrow evening.