Spikers to clash with New Jersey Tech, Lewis at home

By JOSH DAECHE
Collegian Staff Writer

Filled with confidence and on a roll, the Penn State men's volleyball team will play a pair of matches this weekend at Rec Hall.

The No. 11 Nittany Lions (14-10, 7-0 EIVA) will take on Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association rival New Jersey Tech at 7:30 p.m. today. A win could clinch the EIVA Conference title for the Lions.

At 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, Penn State will look to get revenge on No. 8 Lewis. The Lions lost to the Flyers earlier this season in four games at the Hawaiian Outrigger Invitational.

Tonight's matchup against New Jersey Tech is one Penn State coach Mark Pavlik feels his team should not overlook.

"They have a good setter and a very good young outside hitter," Pavlik said. "They have good experience at their other outside spots. I expect the team to take real good swings at the ball. They have a lot of good leadership and I expect them to stay focused -- even if we do one or two really good things, I don't believe they will panic."

During Penn State's latest win streak, the Lions have used their size to their benefit. This is something Pavlik feels Penn State will need to use against New Jersey Tech.

"We just have to allow our physical advantage to help us survive against them," Pavlik said.

Throughout the winning streak, Penn State has seen strong play from senior middle blocker Sergio Pampena. When Pampena has hit over .500 in a match the Lions have gone 11-0. When Pampena has hit under .500 the Lions are 2-10.

Penn State has gone to its bench continually throughout the streak, while receiving strong play from reserve middle blockers Dan Hoechst and Adam Whitescarver.

However, Pavlik does not believe he will go to the bench that much this weekend.

"We are not going to look past New Jersey Tech," Pavlik said. "We've got a good team in New Jersey Tech and we want to win two games this weekend."

As for tomorrow's game, the Flyers arrive have received strong play of late from outside hitters Victor Rivera and Eduardo Quinones.

"We have played well in our last five matches," Lewis coach Dave Deuser said. "This is a very big match for us."

Eduardo is the brother of Penn State setter Jose Quinones. The last time the two played against one another, Jose posted 34 assists, two kills and nine digs in the two games he played. Eduardo played very well in the match as well, contributing 23 kills and nine digs in the four games he played.

Though the two are brothers, both Pavlik and Deuser think the two share some similarities and differences between them.

"They both are very competitive," Pavlik said.

"Jose is more laid back than Eduardo," Deuser said. "Eduardo is emotional and more fired up."