The No. 13 Penn State men's volleyball swept New York University (30-19, 33-31, 30-22) Saturday night in the first round of the EIVA tournament.

The Nittany Lions allowed the Violets to hang around for most of the match, but the Lions were able to get the key points when needed, something they hadn't been able to do recently.

The Lions opened up a quick 7-2 lead on the Violets in game one, but after a New York timeout the Violets responded to close the gap to three at the technical timeout. But the Lions offensive attack was too much, they would go on to hit .600 in game one and close out New York on one of four kills by junior John Mills in game one.

The Violets came out confident in game two and took a 15-14 lead into the technical timeout. The Lions would have game point at 29-28, when New York junior setter Dominic Griffin would single-handedly put the Violets ahead with back-to-back aces at 30-29.

"The guys relaxed pretty much they just went forward the last two games," New York University coach Jose Pina said. "As we stayed closer against Penn State it became more fun."

Sophomore Zach Slenker would respond for the Lions with three of his nine kills for the match coming in the next four points. Sophomore Carlos Guerra's kill would give the Lions the hard fought game two victory.

"I had to do something because I wasn't blocking and serving well," Slenker said. "Traditionally that's my role so I had to find some way to contribute."

The Lions and Violets traded points again early on in game three, but the Lions would hold a four-point lead at the technical timeout. The lead would get no smaller than three at any time and back-to-back Guerra kills would seal the match for the Lions. Guerra led all hitters with 14 kills and four block assists for the match.

"I've been practicing all week with Dennis," Guerra said. "I did what I was supposed to do and it was working."

Mills and sophomore Kevin Hodge each had ten kills as Mills hit .600 for the match. Junior Jose Quinones had a match-high 43 assists and ten digs to pace the Lions. The Lions out hit the Violets .489 -.259 for the match and registered 22 more kills.

"I think physically we are much better than they are," Quinones said. "If we pass well there is no reason not to hit high, when you pass well the offense runs smoothly."

The Lions did have 18 service errors, a stat that has plagued the Lions since Lewis swept Penn State in Rec Hall in early April.

"We got to get back to the gym and work on serving," Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik said.

"We didn't do a lot of work on serving this week, we worked on transition play and it paid off big."