The projected starting setter came within four assists of setting a NCAA single-season record for most assists in a season, finishing last year's campaign with 2,126.

Though Pollock may appear to hold the edge for the starting slot, Lions' coach Mark Pavlik also has liked what he has seen in sophomore Jose Quinones.

"We have some real good competition going on between the two of them," Pavlik said.

Quinones is quick and has a lot of strong athletic talent. He will more than likely see a decent amount of playing time throughout the season, but in reality seems to be the future setter for Penn State.

The men in the middle

The Lions are stacked at the middle blocker position, led by their emotional leader Pampena.

"Sergio is very hard working and his emotions often run the game," Pavlik said.

Pampena was plagued with injuries last season, and come 1999 he hopes to be back to his ‘97 form. Two seasons ago, Pampena, then a sophomore, had a hitting average of .432 and 117 blocks.

All-East second-team selection Dan Hoechst returns after having a stellar first season of play for the Lions.

Hoechst is a strong attacker and has all the tools of a pure middle hitter. He is considered to be one of the top sophomores in the nation.

The Lions' best blocker may be junior Adam Whitescarver. Whitescarver has been one of the Lions' top players off the bench for the past two seasons and has one of the hardest jump serves on the team.

Perhaps the Lions' key ingredient at middle blocker is Miller.

"Brad is very athletic," Pavlik said. "We just expect Brad to perform well."

Miller played well during the preseason and showed he may again be the go-to guy in clutch situations.

Swing hitters: armed and dangerous

Led by 1998 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Player of the Year Tony Mazzullo, Penn State once again returns with a lot of experience at the swing hitter position.

Mazzullo played like a man possessed last season with 15 double-doubles (kills-digs). He ranks third in total kills in school history with 599.

This season Mazzullo should have some help from outside hitters Eric Houston, Aird, Jon Hahn, Scott Lapp and Josh Briggs.

Houston has been especially impressive this fall. He saw a considerable amount of action last season and has worked hard in the offseason.

"Eric spent a significant amount of time in the gym," Pavlik said. "He is physically stronger than he was."

Opposite hitters: inexperienced, but not to worry

If the Lions lack any experience, it will be at the outside hitter position. Redshirt freshman George Papadakis has been injured for some of the preseason but still appears be the in the lead for a starting role.

Tim Hoffman also has played well in preseason and shows a lot of power coming off a set. During preseason matches, Hoffman showed that when he gets on a roll he is hard to stop.

"Tim is going through a maturing process," Pavlik said. "He is working very hard at staying constant."

True freshman Jason Hawkins also has proven he may be force to reckon with come January.

Hawkins impressed the coaching staff enough throughout the preseason that he should see considerable playing time immediately. He is the only freshman not to redshirt this season and has traveled with the team throughout the preseason.

The closer

Senior co-captain Schall is Penn State's defensive specialist. The back row specialist can be called upon to put the final touches on games.

"Dan has the freedom back there to go where the ball goes," Pavlik said. "He's the defensive quarterback and he's better than anyone we have in the back row. We put him in when he hit double figures."

The challenges that lay ahead

For the Lions to challenge for the NCAA title, they must survive a long and hard journey.

After opening with the Nittany Lion Invitational, Penn State will face non-conference challenges from Ohio State and Pepperdine.

The Lions then play UCLA, Hawaii and Lewis at the Hawaii Outrigger Classic -- all before the month of January ends.

Penn State's tough non-conference schedule should establish where it may end up come NCAA Tournament time in May.

The EIVA has increased its level of competition by adding the American University of Puerto Rico and Vassar to the Tait Division, Penn State's division.

Juniata is coming off a Div. III title, Springfield has competed in the NCAA Championships before and New Jersey Tech has upgraded from Div. III to II.

Despite its difficult schedule, Penn State's confidence appears to be on the rise.

"I am very confident about this season," Houston said. "We have a lot of hunger on this team."

The Lions will need their seniors and more experienced players to take charge if they have any plans to erase their sub-par ‘98 finish and return to the championship form of earlier years.