HONOLULU, Hawaii, Jan. 19, 2002 - The fourth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team dropped its second match of the season to seventh-ranked Ball State in four games (30-25, 25-30, 24-30, 20-30) to close out play at the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Invitational in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Nittany Lions begin the season at 0-2 for the first time since 1998 while Ball State improves to 3-1 overall.

Senior Zeljko Koljesar (Kitchener, Ontario) led Penn State with 14 kills while senior Carlos Guerra (Tamaulipus, Mexico) and junior Keith Kowal (Reading, Pa.) chipped in 10 and eight kills, respectively. Ball State had four players post double-digit kill figures, aiding in its 65 to 48 team kill advantage. The Cardinals also outhit the Nittany Lions .347 to .206, including .273 to -.148 in the fourth stanza.

Junior Nate Matthews (Rochester, N.Y.) directed the Lion offense with 43 assists and was also a force at the net, along with Kowal, posting six blocks apiece. Ball State won the blocking battle, however, recording 15.0 stuffs to Penn State's 8.5.

Junior libero Ricky Mattei (San Juan, Puerto Rico) led the Lion defense and all players with seven of Penn State's 20 team digs.

The Nittany Lions open their 2003 home slate on Friday, Jan. 24 when they host New York beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Rec Hall.

Please visit Penn State's official athletics website, www.GoPSUsports.com for updated statistics and news on the Nittany Lion men's volleyball team and Penn State's 28 other sports.