Bring in 'da noise

Spiker duo provides Lions with emotional funk

Silence is golden, but shouting is fun.

Few people make shouting as much fun as Penn State men's volleyball players Damian Martorana and Sergio Pampena. The duo needs little else than their own energy to put them in motion.

"We definitely feed off each other to get the ball rolling," Martorana said. "Because of the intense fire inside us, we don't need much else to get us going."

Since they are their own driving force, they help to motivate other players when emotion is lacking.

"Sometimes when you're playing, you get into a lull," Pampena said. "Me and Damian are really boisterous on the court, so when the other guys need something to get going, they look to us."

Pampena has settled into his middle blocking position over the past three seasons. Although he does not have great size, Pavlik counts on him for big things.

"Serge is a bit undersized, but the fact that he's a relatively small middle blocker doesn't hurt us as much as it could," Pavlik said. "He's a sound defensive player and I can count on him match in and match out."

Although he is in a defensive position for most of the game, Pampena knows that defense is crucial to a good offense.

"Usually in the beginning of a game someone has to go and establish the middle so you can work other stuff on offense," Pampena said.

Unlike Pampena, who has eased into his starting position, Martorana is a starter for the first time this year.

Martorana took over the opposite hitter position after All-American Ivan Contreras graduated last year. His departure left Martorana with a big void to fill.

"In that opposite position Damian plays, we want the area to be one that generates points," coach Mark Pavlik said. "Damian has a great live arm, he just needs experience to use it well in competition."

"If I get a good block, I yell out in victory like I beat the other guy," Martorana said. "Sometimes you can't help yelling because you're in the zone and you just can't control it, but I don't think the other guys want me to control it."

There are, however, some times when control is needed. Neither player wants to hurt the team, so they have to recognize when enough is enough.

"You can say the wrong thing at the wrong time and you get a warning," Pampena said. "Something like that shuts me up a little, but it fires me up too. It's like I got in trouble and I want to do something to make it better."

Unfortunately, Pampena has to get himself better before he can better his actions. Last week in practice, he injured his ankle and will be out for three to six weeks.

Despite the injury, Pampena can still be heard from the sidelines cheering on his teammates.

"When Damian would do something good (against Long Beach) he'd look over at me and I'd point to him or yell something so he knew that I'm still with him," Pampena said.

Both players do a bit of hamming for the crowd as well. They use their antics to get the crowd enthused so that the players aren't the only ones having fun.

"I want the game to be enjoyable for the fans," Pampena said. "I do a lot of silly stuff and if they laugh at me that's great. I'm glad they're having as much fun as we are."