The EIVA is Penn State's playground, with the No. 2 Nittany Lions playing the role of older, stronger bully. Now Penn State is hoping to move to a new play spot a week from today in the NCAA semifinals in Los Angeles.

In order to qualify for the NCAA tournament, the Lions (28-3, 13-0 EIVA) must first wrap up the conference title. They play Rutgers-Newark at 8 tonight in Rec Hall in the EIVA semifinals, and will then play the winner of George Mason-Juniata in the finals if they win this evening.

Penn State head coach Mark Pavlik has preached to his team all season about being the "big dog." He stresses the importance of making a statement during each EIVA match, letting conference foes know that they will need to play at a high level for a long time in order to beat the Lions.

"That's why you go through the EIVA part of your schedule, and you play as hard as you possibly can," Pavlik said.

Here is a preview of the competition that stands in the way of Penn State's quest for its seventh consecutive EIVA title.

Though the EIVA teams in the semifinals are certainly respectable, it might help to set the mood by listening to "Send in the Clowns" while reading.

Rutgers-Newark

In the two matches between the Scarlet Raiders and Penn State, Rutgers has taken more games from the Lions than anyone else in the EIVA -- two. Yes, folks, that statistic is indicative of the competition the Lions face in conference play.

"Rutgers is one team that's going to be ready," Pavlik said. "They're well coached, they're gonna try to do some things against us. We just have to make sure we play at a pretty high level, and I think we'll be all right."

Rutgers-Newark is the last EIVA team to defeat the Lions, beating Penn State more than 13 months ago.

George Mason

The Patriots might be the most talented EIVA team after Penn State, but that talent gap is still wider than the Hudson River.

Speaking of which, George Mason's 6-foot-5 outside hitter, Hudson Bates, edged out Lions libero Gary Vogel for EIVA newcomer of the year.

Bates and senior opposite Shaun Powell are two players that Penn State must watch out for.

Juniata

With dreams of becoming the men's volleyball version of the little engine that could, the Golden Eagles of Division III will throw everything they've got at mighty Penn State.

If they play well, the Eagles should force the Lions into a fourth game. If that does happen, though, watch for Penn State to awaken and come out from temporary hibernation with a vengeance.

Notes

Several Lions are having career years in multiple statistical categories.

Junior Nate Meerstein is currently sporting career bests in hitting (0.522), kills per game (2.99) and blocks per game (1.37), the categories that quantify the success of a middle hitter.

Fellow middle hitter Keith Kowal has a NCAA-leading and career-best 1.73 blocks per game.

Junior Matt Proper has shattered his previous numbers in kills per game, with 3.94 this season, blocks per game (1.28) and hitting percentage (3.24).

Tomorrow

In tomorrow's Daily Collegian, Penn State's chances at a second national championship will be previewed.

"They are a great threat to take the championship this year, and even next year too," Brigham Young head coach Tom Peterson said of the 2005 Lions.