Junior outside hitter Matt Anderson knew an overall perfect season would not be easy, but an undefeated conference season was something the Penn State men's volleyball team strives for every season.
The No. 1 Nittany Lions were off to their best start in program history at 18-0 heading to Fairfax, Va., to take on EIVA rival No. 14 George Mason -- the Lions swept George Mason earlier this season at home. However, the Lions could not keep up with the Patriots' quick start and dropped their first EIVA match in two seasons.
"Every year we definitely see ourselves going through the EIVA undefeated just because of the talent that we have," Anderson said. "Going the entire season undefeated we always try to do, but we always seem to slip up now and then."
With a trip to the West Coast only a week away, the Lions found themselves in a tough match with George Mason on March 7, trailing 2-0. It was the first time all season an opponent took two games.
The loss shocked the Lions at first, and brought them back down to earth. They had not only thought they should have beaten every EIVA team, but they believed they could have swept every EIVA opponent.
However, the Lions did not have time to sit and sulk over the loss with a game the next day against Princeton. They also knew that an EIVA loss now was better than one in late April.
"I'm glad we got that loss out of the way [at George Mason] rather than in the EIVA tournament," junior opposite Ryan Sweitzer said. "I definitely think it will help us. We know what we have to do next time out."
After the loss, the Lions hit the practice gym and did not change a thing. The loss highlighted some areas in their block they needed to improve and Pavlik used the ensuing practices to concentrate on that area.
Pavlik has led the Lions to nine undefeated EIVA seasons. However, Pavlik knew that one loss was not a sign to start shaking things up.
"We're not going to change directions right now," he said. "We just have to keep doing what we're doing. What they've done so far has been very successful."
After falling to the Patriots in a preseason match, the Lions swept them at home the next time they met. Sweitzer said that after the exhibition loss the Lions played with a "chip on their shoulder."
Following the loss, the Lions are starting a new win streak. They beat Princeton and won both games on the West Coast against Cal Baptist and then-No. 3 Long Beach State. They have put the loss behind them and are once again playing with the chip on their shoulder that got them off to their 18-0 start.
"You have to keep your focus forward," Pavlik said. "What's done is done. We won't dwell on it and that's one thing I think this team is really good at."
