Playing against two opponents in the midst of losing streaks can make a team take those games as guaranteed wins. If the Penn State men's volleyball team comes into this weekend with a similar mindset, the games could have negative EIVA tournament implications for the Nittany Lions. Eighth-ranked Penn State (13-5, 6-0) will be in New Jersey this weekend for two EIVA matches as it faces Rutgers-Newark (11-8, 7-2) at 7 tonight and Princeton (10-6, 4-4) at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

These games are extremely important for Penn State because the opponents are ranked second and third in the EIVA Tait Division, immediately behind the first-place Lions.

The Lions must be especially focused for tonight's match against Rutgers-Newark, which will be crucial in deciding who hosts the EIVA tournament. The Scarlet Raiders are looking to avenge a 3-0 loss to Penn State on Jan. 30.

"It's like Jan. 30 never happened," Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik said. "[Rutgers-Newark] is a different team at home. Sean Byron is as good a coach as there is in the league, and he will make the necessary adjustments. This is a good opportunity for them to host the EIVA."

The players can sense the importance of the match in Newark, and Penn State sophomore outside-hitter Kevin Wentzel, who had 15 kills the last time the two teams met, said this will not be as easy for the Lions as was the game in Rec Hall.

"[The Scarlet Raiders] play really well in their gym," Wentzel said. "They are good at home, the gym is loud, and they expect to win."

On paper, Princeton is a team the Lions should beat, but Pavlik said the Tigers are dangerous.

"Princeton always gets better late in the season," Pavlik said. "They do nothing in the fall, so the big improvements you see from us in November and December, they are going through now. They are tough defensively. If we can't pass well, we will keep them in games."

With two wins, the Lions would make it very difficult for the Scarlet Raiders to catch up and would bring the EIVA tournament to Rec Hall. A loss would open the door for Rutgers-Newark to make a run at Penn State.