Spikers split versus Springfield, Ball State

By JOSH DAECHE
Collegian Staff Writer

Sergio Pampena entered Friday night's match against Springfield with a look of determination. Pampena, who has been the heart and soul of the Penn State men's volleyball team, led his team into battle this weekend against Springfield Friday and Ball State Saturday, both in Rec Hall.

The No. 11 Nittany Lions (16-12) split the pair of matches, knocking off Springfield (15-4, 16-14, 10-15, 15-5) in an emotional match, but falling to Ball State (15-10, 14-16, 12-15, 7-15) in four games.

Friday, following the lead of its determined leader, Penn State played like a team possessed. From the time the Lions walked on the floor to the final point in the match, Penn State, highlighted by Pampena, was on a mission.

In the first game the Lions wasted no time showing Springfield who was in charge by opening with a 10-3 run. The soft play of Springfield allowed Pampena to bury everything that came his way, and the Lions took the first game, 15-4.

"Serg came up big tonight," Penn State coach Mark Pavlik said. "He's a great player."

In game two Penn State was down 14-2. The Lions were playing sloppy volleyball and appeared to be completely out of sync with one another.

Then Penn State regained the serve off a side out.

Next, Penn State defensive specialist Dan Schall rattled off four straight points. Reserve middle blocker Dan Hoechst and opposite hitter George Papadakis soon got into the act by combining for three kills and two blocks through the stretch when it appeared that Penn State could do nothing right.

But before long, Penn State could do no wrong. The Lions won the next 14 points to wrap up game two, 16-14.

"It was probably 14 of the worst points we gave up this year," Pavlik said of Springfield's 14-2 lead. "Then we followed by having 14 of the best points we've had this season."

Penn State went into game three motivated and ready to send Springfield home without a victory, but once again the Lions fell behind, 12-7. The Lions showed more of the lack of communication that plagued them in game two. Penn State appeared to be on a comeback when it cut the deficit to 13-10, but Springfield slammed the door and won game three, 15-10.

In game four, Penn State received strong play from Whitescarver and Pampena to put the finishing touches on Springfield with a 15-5 victory.

After the match Pampena did not appear overwhelmed about the result.

"These are easy teams and we should be able to beat them," Pampena said.

Ball State was not an easy team by any stretch of the imagination, and the Cardinals proved it with their decisive win Saturday.

Despite out-hitting the Cardinals .348-.342 and having five players in double figures in kills, the Lions dropped the final three games to Ball State after winning game one.

"I didn't think we played bad," setter Jose Quinones said. "We didn't do the little things right and couldn't convert when we had to. In the games coming up we should be able to."

Penn State's next task comes at 7:30 p.m. this Friday when it hosts Concordia in Rec Hall.