Senior spikers to be honored at home finale

Penn State will say thank you to three seniors tonight.

Lion coach Mark Pavlik said he doesn't expect to use up a box of tissues at tonight's match, but wants to give proper credit to these three players who have been a part of the program's greatest moments the last four seasons.

"I won't be overly emotional," Pavlik said. "But it's a good opportunity to recognize what they've done."

The No. 2 Lions (24-1) needed four games to defeat the Warriors on Feb. 13 in East Stroudsburg (9-8). Lion middle blocker Brad Miller said if Penn State executes the way it can, the match should be a short one.

"They'll be even more fired up to play this time," he said. "We just hope to do what we did against St. Francis and get it over with."

The Warriors come in with a grudge. The seedings for the EIVA tournament were announced Monday, and East Stroudsburg was excluded from the festivities. Coach Santiago Restrepo said he was extremely disappointed with the league's decision not to include his club.

"I was shocked that we didn't make the top eight," he said. "Given our strength of schedule and wins over clubs in the top eight, I thought it would be good enough."

East Stroudsburg will look to outside hitter Kevin Killinger to supply much of its offense against Penn State. Killinger had a match-high 17 kills in the first meeting.

Pavlik said no matter which combination is on the floor for the Lions, he wants improved play by his club, not a lackadaisical effort.

"That's what worries me when we don't go in there and execute our game plan. We need to keep scoring points no matter who's in there," Pavlik said. "We've got to make sure where their big hitters are and the points they score are on great execution and not poor defense."

The team will recognize its three seniors before the match. Miller said once the Lions step on the court it will be just another match.

"They're be a little emotion," he said, "but once we get into the game we should be fine."