Penn State wins game one 30-23.

What sport is being played here?

If you guessed men's volleyball, you are indeed correct.

The 2001 season will see collegiate volleyball adopt a form of international rules and play all rally scoring. Rally scoring means that a point will be awarded to the team winning that rally, regardless of which team served the ball.

The games are now played to 30 instead of 15. The only exception is game five, which is played to 15.

This means non-stop action and every point meaning something. The game has become much faster and there are no more slow spots in games where there are no points scored for 10 minutes.

"It brings a little more excitement because every play means something," said junior Jose Quinones after the Ohio State game. "Every set, every shot matters. There is no luxury of a slow start you got to be ready."

Another addition to the men's collegiate game this year is the expanded use of the libero, the designated back row hitter, which allows for a different player to be designated as the libero before each game. The libero may not serve the ball and is not allowed to hit the ball when it is above the net.

"It gives us the opportunity to get more players in," said Penn State coach Mark Pavlik. "It allows us to get some of the other guys some time. If there is a big mismatch and we are winning or losing big I can give someone else a chance."

Serving has changed this year, as a serve is a live ball even if it hits the net as long as it reaches the opponent's court. This rule keeps players on their toes. The new rule had an effect on Penn State in their very first match this year. Ohio State had an ace that clipped the net late in the first game, which gave them a 31-30 lead and they were able to go on to win the game.

"It's just more exciting," said sophomore Zeljko Koljesar. "When a point like that happens, it can definitely help you out big time."

The new scoring can also lead to long games, as demonstrated by the Hawaii-UCLA championship match in the Outrigger Invitational. The match was won by UCLA, but Hawaii was able to win the fourth game. The score was 44-42 Hawaii. The game went back and forth and Hawaii was able to fight off eight match points and win the game.

That is an example of the excitement created by the new system point after point going back and forth with every shot as meaningful as the next.

"It took me a few matches to get used to learning everything," said Koljesar. "Making the serve and not making errors along with all the little details.

Volleyball purists will argue that the old scoring system was better and these new rules are not how the collegiate game should be played.

"Its always easier to hang on to what you have," said Pavlik. "The men's game we play at this level is now more exciting. The score can change in 20 minutes from 2-2 to 26-26.

"The emphasis is still on winning your serve and trying to get the sideout when the other team is serving. There is a premium put on execution."