If the men's volleyball team were to enlist the services of Dionne Warwick and the Psychic Friends Network, it would inform the team, after gazing into the crystal ball, that Penn State's magic number for the next few days is three.

For the next three days, the No. 3 Lions will travel to Newark, N.J., for three matches. Tonight, the team takes on New Jersey Institute of Technology, a Division III school.

Then, the Lions will hop across town to compete in the 15th Golden Dome Classic tomorrow and Saturday on the Rutgers-Newark campus. The team has already won three tournaments in a row, and will be going for its third consecutive title on the road. The Lions will also be going for their third Golden Dome championship (they won it in 1987 and 1991).

NJIT is one of the newest members of the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Because the EIVA was increased to a 14-team league prior to the start of this season, two divisions were established. Both the Lions and the Highlanders are members of the Dr. Tom Tait Division, named for the former Penn State men's volleyball coach.

Tonight, the Lions (7-1, 0-0 in the EIVA) hope to collect their 11th victory over NJIT (9-0, 0-0). The Highlanders have never defeated Penn State, in a rivalry dating back to 1977.

"We look at it like we should win," Coach Tom Peterson said.

Because NJIT is of a lesser caliber than Penn State, the Lions will be looking to start the match strongly with their first team, and then let the younger players in. This is to allow for a more balanced match, as well as to get the younger players some playing experience.

"We usually get the first team in there to win the first game, and then coach puts some of the other guys in," said freshman middle blocker Adam Fernsler. "It's good for us. Anytime we get to play and get some court experience is good for us."

NJIT knows that the Lions are favored to win by monumental odds, so the Highlanders are not going to be disappointed by a loss.

"I've been here for many, many years and I can't remember NJIT ever being able to beat Penn State," NJIT Coach Dave Denure said. "We will just try to attack well and just try to play defense. For us to go up against schools like Penn State and George Mason, we have everything to gain and nothing to lose -- we are supposed to lose."

Tonight's match marks the first conference match of the season for both teams. The Lions are the reigning three-time EIVA Champions.

"It is important to have games like this for two reasons," Lion freshman Jason Kepner said. "More people get to see the game of volleyball, and it is good for us younger guys. The experience we can get now will help us out in the future."