Job done
Spikers' perfect EIVA mark intact

By SCOTT GLASSMAN
Collegian Sports Writer

The No. 7 men's volleyball team fulfilled its duty this weekend, leaving Harrisonburg, Va., on Saturday with a perfect Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association record.

"We got in, got the job done and got out," Lion Coach Mark Pavlik said.

On Saturday, the Lions (18-3, 5-0 EIVA) first defeated St. Francis (Pa.) in three games (15-6, 15-4, 15-8). Lion middle blocker Ivan Contreras led the team with 18 kills, while outside hitter Ed Josefoski finished close behind with 16 kills and four blocks.

Penn State then dominated host Eastern Mennonite (15-6, 15-4, 15-5). Lion outside hitter Fred Matheis had a sensational all-around game. The junior posted 14 kills, one ace, five blocks and four digs for a Lion squad that easily outsized and outmatched the young EMU team.

"I thought we did really good down in EMU," Pavlik said. "We were playing in a really small gym, and it was packed with three to four hundred rowdy fans. But everyone played as expected, and we executed well."

While Pavlik was pleased with the Lions' effort on Saturday, he was disappointed with the team's play on Friday night.

The Lions defeated New Jersey Tech (15-5, 15-10, 15-12) in Rec Hall, but the last two matches were closer than Pavlik would have liked.

"Friday, I was a little disappointed in how the subs came off the bench," he said.

After easily winning the first game, the Lions clearly cooled off after various substitutions stalled Penn State's scoring streaks. N.J. Tech was able to keep each of the last two games close and was knotted with the Lions at 9-9 in Game 3 before Penn State slowly pulled away.

"We started out real well, and the starters were playing very good," said sophomore outside hitter Brent Lapp, who came off the bench in Game 2. "But it wasn't pretty at times when the subs came in."

Even with the erratic play, Matheis was playing well all over the court, earning himself 14 kills, seven digs, one solo block and one assisted block. He hit for 72 percent in two games. Contreras had 15 kills and six digs, while middle blocker Kevin Hourican also had 15 kills and four blocks assisted.

But what might have aided the Lions' fast start in Game 1 was N.J. Tech's early match mind-set.

"I was very disappointed in the way we came out," N.J. Tech Coach Dave Denure said. "We came out tentative and timid. We were playing without any confidence, and the players were in awe of the surroundings and the team on the other side of the net."

After that very slow start, N.J. Tech settled down behind senior Tarik Rodgers. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker struck for 20 kills, while playing against a lineup that included 6-foot-7 Kevin Hourican and 6-foot-8 Adam Fernsler.

"In the beginning, everyone was really scared, and the team was playing without any confidence," Rodgers said. "Honestly, I really didn't have much confidence in the team either. I've been here four years and knew what to expect, but the younger guys were really nervous."

But contrary to Rodgers' expectations, the players did settle down. Against the Lions' substitutions, N.J. Tech stayed close the final two games.

"It's difficult coming off the bench when you are not warmed up," Lapp said. "But we got the win and that's all that counts."