Tuesday, Jan. 13, 1998

Pacific blues

Spikers stumble in Hawaii

By CHRISTY ROLAK
Collegian Arts Writer

One good night's sleep can cure jet lag. One week of practice should cure the blues. But losses are difficult to overcome.

During semester break, the Penn State men's volleyball team traveled to Hawaii to participate in the 4th Annual Outrigger Hotels Invitational Tournament. The competition of No. 5 Hawaii, No. 2 UCLA and tenacious Ball State, combined with the 12-hour flight, proved problematic for the Nittany Lions.

In its first match on Jan. 7, the team confronted Hawaii on its home court. In a packed Special Events Arena, the defending tourney champion Rainbows defeated Penn State in five games (16-14, 13-15, 10-15, 15-10, 17-15). Despite taking an early 13-12 lead in the fifth game, the Lions were physically deflated by the three-hour marathon match.

Daniel Pollock (9) sets the ball for middle hitter Brad Miller (8) during a game last February. Penn State traveled to Hawaii during semester break to participate in the 4th Annual Outrigger Hotels Invitational Tournament. (Collegian File Photo / Laura Chiles - click for full size image)

"We settled down and the passing got better in the second and third games," Penn State setter Daniel Pollock said. "We kinda stumbled a little in the fourth, and in the fifth we played pretty poorly. If we played like we did in the fourth, we would have won."

The Lions finished the match well past midnight, leaving little time for recuperation before facing their next opponent, longtime rival UCLA.

UCLA, appearing better rested than Penn State, crushed the Lions in three straight games. The Bruins kept the team under eight points for the entire match. The sweep (15-3, 15-5, 15-8) deflated the Lions' hopes of placing second in the tournament.

"As a team we weren't in the best of shape," said outside hitter David Gealey. "We seemed physically drained."

Despite the two straight losses and the physical draining by Hawaii, the team was able to end the tournament on a high note with its last match on Jan. 9.

After a night's rest, Penn State regained its composure to defeat Ball State. Pollock recorded 54 assists in the 15-13, 15-4, 15-10 victory, while swing hitter Tony Mazzullo and middle blocker Sergio Pampena each added 14 blocks for the Lions.

UCLA defeated Hawaii in three straight games to win the tournament with an undefeated record. The outstanding performance of UCLA was noted by Tom Stillwell's and Brandon Taliferro's placement on the all-tournament team and nomination of Adam Naeve as most valuable player.

With a victory over the Cardinals, the Lions placed third overall and Ball State placed fourth. Pollock's performance throughout the invitational also earned him an all-tournament selection, and Brad Miller recorded a career-high 27 kills against Hawaii.

Despite the early difficult losses, Penn State returned from Hawaii with a positive attitude.

"Our confidence level has risen a lot because of how we played against Hawaii," Gealey said. "We know now that we can play anyone and that should carry over."