Big, strong and talented are three characteristics that make a team tough to play against. In Penn State's 3-0 (30-19, 30-21, 30-17) win against George Mason last night, the Nittany Lions were all of the above.

"They are a big team, and they executed their offense perfectly," George Mason men's volleyball coach Fred Chao said. "We just don't have what it takes to compete against that."

The Lions dominated from the get-go and bested the Patriots in virtually every statistical category. George Mason was out-hit .529 to .071, out-blocked 12.5 to 5, and out-dug 23 to 13.

"This was as good a match as we've had in a semifinal," Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik said. "I am not overly surprised. I expected a dominating performance. I was pleased with the offense, defense, blocking and even the serves when they got in."

The Patriots simply were overmatched. Sophomore setter Dan O'Dell ran the offense with ease, finishing with 41 assists, and sophomore outside-hitter Matt Proper and middle-hitter Nate Meerstein led the way with 11 kills each. Meerstein did it on just 12 attempts, hitting at a career-high .917 clip.

"I just got up as quick as I could and didn't see any hands," Meerstein said. "We were more pumped up tonight than against Sacred Heart, and it showed."

"The passing was on tonight, and that let me set the ball where I wanted," O'Dell said. "Mason's block is easy to pick apart, and the hitters did their job. With our team hitting over .500, I feel like I did my job."

Last night was a good win for the Lions, but the players know they must not be satisfied. They will take on Rutgers-Newark, a team they split the season series with at one game a piece, in the EIVA final tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Rec Hall. The winner of that match will claim a spot in the Final Four that will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii starting May 6.

"This game is done," senior libero Ricky Mattei said. "We need to forget this win and prepare for Rutgers. We need to come out Saturday and send a message to Rutgers and the rest of the nation.

"I am not letting any of the guys take this for granted. This is my last year. I will not get denied a trip to the Final Four."