It was the first game of the match, and the No. 7 Penn State men's volleyball team looked to be off to another slow start. Down six points against George Mason Saturday night, the team was in dire need of a spark to jump-start its offense.

In a routine switch, head coach Mark Pavlik put in sophomore Travis Foltz to serve instead of senior Aaron Smith. This became the crucial change that gave the upswing to the Nittany Lions. With Foltz serving, the Lions went on a seven-point run and ended up winning the game on a decisive kill from senior Alex Gutor.

"I was just putting it in," Foltz said. "I wasn't serving aggressive. Max, Luke and Gutor were up there, just blocking, touching, everything. That's all we needed. Just a little spark."

Saturday night, in front of 1,492 fans in the crowded South Gym of Rec Hall, the Lions defeated the Patriots, 3-1, (30-21, 23-30 30-18, 30-25). On Friday night, in the main gym of Rec Hall, the Lions defeated No. 15 St. Francis, 3-0, (30-21, 30-26, 30-26).

After winning Game 1, the team had a bit of trouble in the second game and was unable to get anything going against George Mason (3-2, 1-2 EIVA). In Game 3, however, it clearly was the stronger team, scoring on small serving runs from freshman Max Lipsitz, junior setter Luke Murray and Gutor. Game 4 was again touch and go the Lions but they ended up pulling out a win.

"We came in tonight really underestimating them and we just assumed by going through the motions we would squeak out with an EIVA win," Max Holt said. "As soon as we saw they came to play, we really stepped up."

Outside hitter Matt Anderson led the team in kills with 19. He posted the same number the previous night against the Red Flash (5-4, 2-1 EIVA). Saturday night, however, Holt had the most dominating performance and one of his best matches as a Lion this season. He hit with a .700 clip, notching a season high 15 kills.

Murray continues to show improvement and leadership as a first year setter. He had 40 assists on Friday night and 48 against the Patriots. He was one shy of his career high in digs Saturday night, putting up eight for the Lions (6-2, 3-0 EIVA).

"In Game 3, Luke set the best game he probably set in his Penn State career," Pavlik said. "He's so quick, I try to give him tougher balls and I can't do it. He's like a golden retriever."

Defensively, the team had a strong weekend, blocking six on Friday and doubling that number to a dozen against the Patriots. Senior libero Ryan Walthall had nine digs on Friday night and eclipsed that number Saturday, tallying 16, one shy of his career high.

Even though Penn State put down the Red Flash in three games on Friday night, there was no one player that truly stood out, offensively or defensively. Behind Anderson's 19 kills, Gutor had 12 and hit with a .364 clip.

The team, however, was successful in keeping senior Marc Honore under wraps, an area that Pavlik had stressed.

Honore, tagged as an EIVA Player of the Year candidate, was held to 11 kills and one ace all night.

Now atop in the EIVA with a 3-0 record, the Lions will have one more game at home in February before they go on the road to take on two more EIVA opponents. Although happy with this weekend's wins, Pavlik is still looking for more.

"I'm not sure we are dominating as opposed to [playing] good volleyball," Pavlik said.

"I think we are dominating physically. I don't think [it was] terrible play but not quite in sync yet with what we can do."