Sporting newly shaved heads, freshmen Max Holt and Matt Anderson had a breakout weekend for the No. 12 Penn State men's volleyball team.

Why such a solid effort from the two?

"I attribute it to aerodynamics," senior co-captain Matt Proper said through a big grin.

Proper was also sporting a close-cropped 'do, but only to save money.

"Matt's big on the hair-care product," senior co-captain Nate Meerstein fired back.

Whatever Holt and Anderson's impetus, the wind tunnel-tested haircut seemed to suit them nicely.

They were instrumental in both of the Nittany Lions' (4-4, 3-0 EIVA) key victories this weekend, first against Juniata on Friday, then in Saturday night's upset of No. 3 Long Beach State.

"We're a lot more comfortable with the team outside the court and on the court," Anderson said.

"We just feel like were part of the team now. We're just having fun out there, playing our best, doing what we're supposed to do."

On Friday, Anderson was everywhere.

He killed 14 balls -- tying the match-high -- at a .500 clip, while also digging six balls, blocking three and converting two aces.

The 6-foot-7 outside hitter was playing so well, public address announcer Dean DeVore might have thought his play was like something out of The Matrix. After many of Anderson's kills, DeVore, doing his best imitation of the suited, sunglasses-wearing Agent Smith, announced a slow, drawn out "Mr. Anderson," in recognition of the freshman's efforts.

Middle hitter Holt was not without an impressive stat line, either.

Against Juniata, he tallied nine kills and hit at an astounding .909 rate.

"I don't know if last night against Juniata, he started all hot and it just gave him some confidence and he just took it and ran," Meerstein said of Holt after the Long Beach State match.

"If he can do that for us every game, it's gonna be a huge help."

Against Long Beach State, a team with only one loss and a No. 3 national ranking, the guys refused to back down.

Holt notched nine kills and hit .467 against the 49ers, blocking nine, too. Anderson was off of a double-double by only a kill and a block as well -- he had nine and nine, respectively, while also digging seven balls.

"I think going out to Hawaii was really overwhelming," Anderson said of the Outrigger Invitational tournament the team played in earlier in the season. "Hawaii came out the first night we were there, getting used to the time change, having to go out and play there was overwhelming. Coming back here to this caliber, we caught up to the speed of the game finally, with practice and stuff like that."

The confidence and experience the two have gained in the short time bodes well for the Lions, especially for the future.

"We just had to get used to the guys and wait for little things to start clicking and start connecting," Holt said. "It took a little while, but I think we're starting to get the flow."

So, after all, maybe an increase in production wasn't their goal when getting haircuts.

Penn State men's volleyball coach Mark Pavlik would certainly like to think otherwise.

"I'd like to think its in honor of their head coach," the bald-headed Pavlik said.