If I would go around a college campus and show a picture of Nate Meerstein to random volleyball fans, 90 percent wouldn't know who he was.

They really should though.

Meerstein is the 6-foot-9 manchild of a sophomore who rotates in and out of the middle when Penn State switches the libero. He is the poster boy for consistency and balance, averaging more than 2.5 kills per game and 1.3 blocks. His .507 hitting percentage quietly ranks him second on his team, behind Keith Kowal. He is the glue that keeps the Nittany Lions from falling apart in tight games.

When Kowal is having a bad game, Meerstein is the one who keeps opposing teams from ganging up on outside hitters Alex Gutor, Kevin Wentzel and Matt Proper. When Penn State needs a block in key situations, Meerstein always gets his hands on the ball. Yet, no opposing coach ever talks a lot about him. He is the best player you don't know about.

It wouldn't take much for coaches to find out how dangerous Meerstein is. If they looked at the national statistics, they would see he is ranked sixth in blocks, right behind Kowal. Kowal and Meerstein look like a two-headed monster in the middle; for you basketball fans, they would be the David Robinson and Tim Duncan of volleyball. However, many people haven't realized that, which is just fine by Meerstein.

"Most people key on Keith and not me, so I like proving a point when I'm out there," he said.

His consistency was on display during matches against Ohio State, George Mason and Springfield. He quietly averaged 10 kills and hit .563 in the three matches. He had a career effort April 3 against Springfield. He almost had a double-double with 11 kills and nine blocks during the best defensive match the Lions played all season. Meerstein continued his stellar play in Saturday's EIVA conference title clincher against Princeton. In limited play, he recorded six kills and no errors, and added four blocks.

He shows that he is a player to be reckoned with, not only in matches, but also in practice. Last Tuesday, the Lions were short in practice and he had to play on the second string. On more than on occasion he blocked or tipped attacks from Kowal, something that opposing teams can't brag about.

If that isn't enough to convince you that he is the best player you've never heard of, there's more. He has averaged eight or more kills per game in 16 of the team's last 17 matches. The Lions are 16-1 during that stretch. In a match against Ball State on March 20 he recorded 15 kills and seven blocks, but was lost behind Kowal, who set a personal best in kills with 28. That's the way he likes it. For those who are still non-believers here's a comparison in college basketball and St. Joseph's shooting guard Delonte West: West averaged 18 points per game, second to teammate and national player of the year Jameer Nelson's 20.1. West didn't get his due until the NCAA tournament when he and Nelson lead the Hawks to the Elite Eight. Meerstein hopes to go a couple of steps further than West and win a national championship.

You can call him a silent assassin or the other guy in the middle, but Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik likes to call him "our little secret."

Meerstein should enjoy not having the spotlight on him while it lasts because, if he keeps his performance up, he won't be the best player no one knows about anymore.