So this is what Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik has been talking about all season.

Taking the court against a physically disadvantaged team, and thoroughly dominating. The No. 10 Penn State men's volleyball team annihilated New York University, 30-21, 30-9, 30-27, at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan Friday night. None of the three games took more than 20 minutes, as Penn State (8-3, 4-0 EIVA) was able to drive back to Happy Valley immediately after the match. Pavlik had questioned his team's intensity earlier in the year against physically overmatched EIVA opponents like NYU, St. Francis and Juniata. Because the Nittany Lions cannot play nationally ranked opponents each week, as the strength in men's volleyball rests on the West Coast, Pavlik expects his team to waste no time in disposing of Div. III opponents like NYU.

"This was better than when we played them here," Pavlik said. "We're on the right path now. I've been really happy with practice the last two weeks."

The win was Penn State's second over NYU this season, and extended the team's EIVA winning streak to 23 games. Freshman Matt Proper led the Lions with nine kills, as Penn State outhit NYU .486 to .041 for the match. In Penn State's thoroughly dominating game two performance, the Lions hit at a .611 clip, while NYU hit -.412. Game two marked the first time all season that Penn State limited its opponent to single digit scoring.

Pavlik expects his team to use its physical advantage and particularly its powerful serving against teams like NYU. The Lions tallied eight aces in the match, led by opposite hitter Zeljko Koljesar, who scored four service winners to move into a tie for fourth all-time on Penn State's ace list. Junior Keith Kowal continued his strong play, with five kills and three blocks in two games. Kowal was named EIVA Player of the Week last week after helping Penn State top Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne and Ohio State.

"Keith has really been developing nicely the last two to four weeks," Pavlik said. "His confidence has started to blossom."

While Kowal and the Lions were able to easily defeat NYU, the team has been hit by the injury bug for the first time this year.

Senior Carlos Guerra played with a swollen jaw after having his wisdom teeth removed on Wednesday. Guerra posted his usual solid numbers at the net, amassing five kills and two blocks in just one game.

Co-captain Zach Slenker made the trip to Manhattan but did not play because of nerve pain in his hand. Slenker will be further evaluated on Wednesday but is expected to be back by next weekend.

The match marked the first of six straight matches against EIVA opponents before the Lions head out west during spring break.