After a media timeout, a rarity that ensued because ESPN2 was airing the match on tape delay, a public address announcer roared, "Congratulations to Kaleena Walters, who now is Penn State's all-time leader in digs with 1,186."

While the rest of the crowd howled in delight for the senior libero, the Penn State women's volleyball team was welcomed to a subdued dose of reality in coach Russ Rose's huddle.

First off, Rose didn't hear the announcement. Second, he didn't really care at the moment.

"I was more concerned with the digs [Walters] didn't get then the digs she did," Rose said.

This was all part of a weekend that was somewhat of a paradox, where the No. 4 Nittany Lions (17-2, 8-0 Big Ten) swept both Michigan (9-7, 3-4 Big Ten) and Michigan State (9-9, 2-6 Big Ten), on Friday and Saturday night at Rec Hall, respectively, but came out quite unpleased with themselves.

While Penn State did average a .354 hitting percentage and held their opponents to a .076 clip during the two matches, both the Wolverines and the Spartans were missing key outside hitters. Junior Danielle Pflum sat out because of an injury for Michigan, while Katie Johnson and her 5.21 kills per game sat out for Michigan State.

"This weekend was not a weekend that would have resulted in great success against some of the top teams in the country," Rose said.

Rose hinted that his team's mental health might not be where he wants it despite being lucky in the physical aspect of things. After last weekend vs. Northwestern and Wisconsin where the Lions took the top spot in their conference, Rose was not happy with the week of practice coming into the matches this weekend. He felt like he had to try and get a statement across to his players.

"I just pointed out to the players that some of the things that we did weren't good, but they might have a different set of circumstances, a different agenda," Rose said. "It's not uncommon with some teams that they have their own agenda and that the coach has a different agenda. It's unfortunate."

This dampened the mood for Walters' success, who exchanged the usual supportive high- and low-fives while coming out of the huddle with a 15-11 lead over the Wolverines, denied that there was any focus turned to her individual achievement.

"I'm looking forward to beating Michigan and Michigan State this weekend," Walters said. "That's what the coach's focuses are, and I don't expect it nor do I want it to be any different than that."

The record seemed to have a minimal impact for Walters, whose simple reaction to being on top of the Penn State record books was, "It's fun." She attributed most of her digs to last season, as Walters doesn't think she's playing her best at the moment.

"It's a record, I mean, it's going to be broken again," Walters said.

Despite a successful yet disappointing week, Rose still had kind words for Walters. After recruiting Wal-

ters out of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., four years ago, Rose sees his player as more than just a name on top of a stat sheet.

"I recruited her because I thought she played hard, and practiced hard and always had a smile on her face," Rose said. "She's a great player and an even finer person."

Yet as freshman Nicole Fawcett and Walters exited the pressroom, the walls of hidden enthusiasm broke down. Fawcett dipped down to the shorter Walters and gave her a big hug for her big day.

I need more washboard

The Deacons of Dixieland were one member short this weekend.

The band, the replacement for the Penn State Pep Band that was on the road at Michigan, also lost one of its star instruments to the football game. President Graham Spanier, who plays his custom washboard, was also in Ann Arbor for Friday and Saturday.

"Everything was good, except there was no washboard," Rose commented about the band. "I was like, 'Where's the washboard?' "