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[ Monday, Jan. 10, 2000 ]
Nittany Lions start year with preseason bang
By Adam Gorney
Collegian Staff Writer
The Penn State men's volleyball team kicked off its 2000 campaign with its annual preseason tournament Friday and Saturday at Rec Hall.
The eight-team Nittany Lion Invitational was a relaxed, yet competitive two-day event pitting teams from the United States and Canada.
The Lions won in all four matches they played in.
Rutgers-Newark, which will face the Lions Jan. 21 at Rec Hall in an EIVA conference showdown, was also competing this weekend in State College. However, Penn State did not compete against the talented New Jersey squad.
Penn State opened its grueling weekend schedule Friday afternoon with a match against Niagara, a contest that allowed the hard-hitting Lions an opportunity to work out any off-season kinks and rustiness.
Some Penn State players think the early start will only give this year's team the advantage because of their youth and lighthearted manner.
PHOTO: J.M. Boyer/Colllegian
Senior Adam Whitescarver attempts a kill against Princeton last season in Rec Hall.
"It kind of felt like we lost today," said Lions redshirt junior Eric Houston after his team's opening contest. "We all know we have a lot of talent."
The talent was exemplified throughout the weekend as the young Lions were never in serious danger of losing a match.
The Lions only lost one game in four matches during the entire weekend, an upset victory in the third game at the hands of the University of Guelph on Saturday afternoon. The Gryphons' win was aided by the limited play of three of the Lions stars: Dan Hoechst, Eric Houston and co-captain Adam Whitescarver. The three sat out the game.
Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik isn't as concerned about losing a game as he is about getting the first few matches in and taking into account where this year's team stands.
"It's always good to get the first few matches in," Pavlik, the sixth-year coach said after Friday's convincing wins against Niagara and Waterloo. He later added, sarcastically, "You know, I used to have a promising career as a ceramics scientist."
Penn State finished the weekend with a convincing sweep of Montreal Saturday evening.
Even though youth can be a weakness or a sign of inexperience, Pavlik believes it all depends on the player and the situation.
"I think what youth does is, it says, 'I haven't seen a lot yet,' " Pavlik said. "It boils down to the ability you have as a player."
Redshirt sophomore setter Jose Quinones isn't as concerned with youth as he is with perfection on the court. Quinones has a few goals that can take this year's team down the path of victory.
"Improve everyday as a team, try to make every player reach their potential," said the co-captain from Puerto Rico. "Coach (Pavlik) says to try and make every play perfect."
Communication on the court might be a worrisome factor for the young Lions this season. The Lions have a quieter, less vocal team for the 2000 campaign and that is a concern.
"Personalities are much different this year," said Pavlik Friday evening. "We have more of a subdued group."
With Houston and Whitescarver leading the cheers, enjoying a much-needed respite during the Waterloo match, one of the sideline ringleaders sees this team a little differently.
"We're pretty young," Houston said, smiling. "We're kind of a joking team."
