Spikers seek more might against Eastern Mennonite

Sometimes a team needs a boost to get back into a winning groove.

-- Penn State middle blocker Dan Hoechst

Recent losses to high-ranked teams have put the Lions (3-7) in a bit of a funk. But the team is trying not to dwell on the past.

"It's not going to do any good to think about the losses," middle blocker Dan Hoechst said. "Right now we're looking for what we need to improve in our own play."

With some key injuries plaguing the Lions, Hoechst, along with others, has been tossed into a starting position. Although the injuries have left certain voids, Hoechst does not believe it will hurt the team.

"We're at a point where we've had a few more losses than we'd like to have," Hoechst said. "I feel confident that we have the guys we need for getting over the hump and winning a few matches."

So far, Penn State has been successful against Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) teams such as Juniata and Princeton. Penn State coach Mark Pavlik believes his team should have similar success against Eastern Mennonite.

"I think, in all honesty, this should be one we win," Pavlik said. "But it doesn't matter who's on the other side of the net, we should be sharp."

Although the Lions are heavily favored in this one, Pavlik said Eastern Mennonite may have a threatening advantage fueling its drive.

"I'm expecting a pretty scrappy game," Pavlik said. "They're coming in here thinking they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. That makes a team dangerous."

Close matches are always more exciting to win, so the team is hoping for a grueling match to give its confidence a kick.

"It's going to take us winning a good, tight match to build our confidence," Hoechst said. "From that standpoint we need to beat them."

The Lions have had troubles with consistency lately. They have been to both extremes with wins against EIVA teams and losses to ranked teams. A win against Eastern Mennonite might help smooth out the bumpy path the Lions have been riding.

"We're going to expect to be up and down," Pavlik said. "We just need to look at how to string the streaks of good playing together longer."