Spikers the main attraction against Royals

Volleyball fans from Harrisonburg, Va., will pack Eastern Mennonite's gym tonight to watch No. 2 Penn State (15-1, EIVA 4-0) play the Royals (5-11, EIVA 0-4).

"Our stands will be packed," Eastern Mennonite coach Sandra Browncombe said. "People from all over the valley will be coming just to get a look at Penn State."

Last season, Eastern Mennonite earned its first wins ever in conference play, going 2-6 in league competition. The Royals had hoped to build on that this season, but it is unlikely to happen tonight.

"I just hope we can come out of the game feeling good about ourselves," Browncombe said. "As a team, we are just real discombobulated right now."

The Royals are only hitting .269, with only Eric Gehman and Daryl Bert distinguishing themselves from the rest of team. Gehman is hitting at a .419 clip while placing second on the team with 184 kills. Bert tops the Royals this season with 209 kills.

"We have to get the ball to them and hope they put it away," Browncombe said.

Just getting the ball to Bert and Gehman could be difficult for the Royals. They have tried using three different setters this season, and Browncombe won't be settling on tonight's starter until game time.

Eastern Mennonite is hoping to take a game from the slumping Penn State bench. The Lion second string is coming off two disappointing showings, and the Royals are hoping to make it three.

"Hopefully, we can play well and take it to their bench," Browncombe said. "Maybe we can take advantage of their second team."

Despite the recent bad play of his younger players, Lion coach Mark Pavlik is not too concerned yet.

"I don't think it's a huge problem," Pavlik said. "This isn't really a second-team, first-team issue. It's a matter making sure everybody plays better."

The Lions' problems are few, and they have been playing consistently well. Penn State's main goal is to keep its momentum and stay prepared for the occasional tough team it faces.

"We just want to continue to play the way we have the last couple of weeks," Pavlik said.

While the Lions will use this match to fine-tune their game for their match against Ball State this weekend, the Royals just want to put in a good showing.

"We just want to come in and make sure it is a good match," Browncombe said. "We don't have any grand visions of winning."