And with the NCAA Championships a mere three weeks away, it's extremely important to be able to beat top-level competition. That competition comes this weekend in Fort Wayne and Muncie, Ind.
The Nittany Lions will face No. 12 Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (18-6) at 7 tonight, and then get a chance to avenge their previous loss to Ball State at 7 tomorrow night.
"Going on the road, we're not going to be comfortable in those gyms," head coach Mark Pavlik said. "And when you're not comfortable, you really have to focus in on your effort and execution. We have to block balls, and we have to pass balls."
Blocking balls is the most simple and basic aspect of a team's defense, but Penn State will certainly have its hands full with IPFW's C.J. Macias.
Most of IPFW's sets go to the powerful outside hitter, and he hasn't been afraid to carry the team on his back. His 38 kills against Ohio State in February is proof of what he's capable of when given the opportunity.
"We have to stop their opposite Macias, because he's their go-to guy every time," senior co-captain Matt Proper said. "We have to focus on him, and then focus on our side of the court, with us working hard and everything."
Prior to their loss to No. 9 Loyola last week, IPFW had reeled off 16 straight wins, so obviously defeating this team will be no easy task by any stretch. As far as the Ball State match, the Cardinals already have a chip on their shoulder, considering they already came to Rec Hall and won earlier this season.
That fact doesn't faze the Nittany Lions.
"They're a solid team and have played some good volleyball," senior co-captain Nate Meerstein said. "Obviously Ball State got us earlier in the year, but if we come out with a win, I'll feel a lot better going into the playoffs."
Durbin led the attack for the Cardinals last time the teams faced each other with 16 kills at a .481 clip. Ian Peckler dug 12 balls, and Zoran Grabovac had five blocks.
What makes Ball State tough, though, is that it is all-around good team, with lots of weapons that need to be accounted for.
"We have to play our hearts out," Proper said. "Ball State always serves pretty well, so we have to pass well and put balls away whenever we get good passes."
Late in the season, the team has settled on an experienced group as their starters, featuring senior hitters Meerstein, Proper and Kevin Wentzel and setter Dan O'Dell. Juniors Ryan Walthall and Alex Gutor get the starting nod at libero and outside hitter, respectively, and middle hitter Max Holt is the lone freshman in the starting rotation.
Needless to say, the squad has had the experience to dispatch teams that hit hard and play tough like this weekend's matchups.
And how important is a good performance from the Lions?
"I think it's pretty crucial," Proper said. "We have next week off to get a little rest, but it'll be good motivation going into the playoffs to get two good wins.
