After losses to No. 1 UCLA and No. 2 Stanford last month, the men's volleyball team might need time to prove it is on a level comparable to the best in the West.

But by defeating No. 14 Ohio State, Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne and Wisconsin-Milwaukee over the weekend, the No. 6 Nittany Lions (4-2) have already staked their claim in the Midwest Region.

"We played well against UCLA and Stanford, we played well against Laval (in a preseason loss) -- but we didn't win," outside hitter Ed Josefoski said. "This weekend, whether we played sloppy or we played well, we just wanted to get some 'W's.' "

In their first home match of the regular season Friday night, the Lions fell prey to an early 3-0 deficit to IPFW in Game 1.

After a hitting error by middle blocker Kevin Hourican -- his only one of the match -- and two service aces by IPFW middle hitter Felipe Ralat (21 kills, 11 digs, 3 aces), the two teams battled to a 12-12 deadlock.

After a timeout by IPFW and seven straight sideouts without a point, outside Lion hitter David Gealy was stuffed on a kill attempt. Lion setter Carlos Ortiz and outside hitter Jason Kepner were both in position for the ensuing dig, but both watched helplessly as the ball landed between them.

The point proved to be a crucial one as the Volleydons rallied to score two straight points to take the first game, 15-12.

"That happens to us all the time," said middle blocker Ivan Contreras. "We give up a couple of points and then we get into our rhythm."

Game 2 proved to be a mirror of the first as the two teams knotted the score at 13. But this time the Lions took control of the game -- and ultimately, the match -- scoring the final two points to win, 15-13.

The Lions picked up momentum and took the final two games, 15-8, 15-8, to complete the match.

IPFW Coach Arnie Ball said the second game was the turning point in the match.

"We put a lot of energy into that game, and not winning it hurt us," Ball said. "We could have been up two games to none. After that, we couldn't score and we couldn't block."

Josefoski, donning a headband for the match, led the Nittany Lions with 24 kills and entertained the crowd of around 650 with his emotional play. With each ensuing block or kill, the animated senior gave his best Deion Sanders' impersonation as he high-stepped around the court.

Josefoski removed his headband for the team's match the following morning, but Penn State never missed a beat. Even with four starters sitting out the final game, the Lions easily swept an overmatched Wisconsin-Milwaukee squad 15-10, 15-6, 15-10.

The Lions saved their best hitting performance of the weekend for Ohio State on Saturday night. In sweeping the Buckeyes 15-12, 15-6, 15-10, the Lions hit an impressive .401, led by strong performances by Contreras (19 kills) and Kepner (14 kills).

Notes:

-- The Buckeyes were without the services of swinghitter Jos Bengoa, who is recovering from second-degree burns on his right foot. Bengoa, a Volleyball Monthly Freshman All-American last year, was frying chicken last Sunday night when he inadvertantly spilled hot oil on his foot.

-- Ohio State outside hitter Matt Wilson missed most of the match after reinjuring his left knee in Game 1.