STATE COLLEGE, Pa., February 5, 2002 - Fifth-ranked Penn State downed Juniata in three games (30-19, 30-21, 30-25) Tuesday night at Rec Hall to improve to 6-2 on the season, 3-0 in conference play. The Eagles fall to 2-3 overall, 1-1 in the EIVA.
Junior middle hitter Zach Slenker (Dallastown, Pa.) led Penn State with 10 kills while 10 other Nittany Lions contributed kills to the match. Sophomore Richard Schneider (Virginia Beach, Va.) had season-highs in kills (6) and digs (5) while junior Kevin Hodge (Dublin, Ohio) put away two service aces, also a season high. Sophomore Alex Weaver (Monroeville, Pa.) also notched his first block of the season.
Leading Penn State in blocking was sophomore middle hitter Keith Kowal (Reading, Pa.) with four while senior Jason Hawkins (Lake Mary, Fla.) contributed three. Schneider also led the team in digs with five with sophomores Norm Keil (St. James, N.Y.) and Rhonee Rojas (Mililani, Hawaii) chipping in four apiece and sophomore Ricky Mattei (San Juan, Puerto Rico) adding three.. Senior Jose Quinones (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) and sophomore Nate Matthews (Rochester, N.Y.) split time directing the Penn State offense, with each dishing out 21 and 15 assists, respectively.
As a team, the Lions hit .311 on the night while limiting Juniata to .123, including a .032 second game. Penn State had 49 kills to the Eagles¡¯ 30 and also led the blocking category 8.5 to 4. Penn State totaled six aces to Juniata¡¯s two and also won the digging war 25-15.
The Lions remain home this weekend, facing New York on Friday, Feb. 8. Match time is set for 7:30 p.m. in the South Gym at Rec Hall. Penn State then faces Princeton Saturday, Feb. 9 at 4:00 p.m.
For complete game statistics, visit the men¡¯s volleyball homepage at www.GoPSUsports.com
