Newark, N.J, Feb. 18, 2005 - Freshman libero Gary Vogel (Lancaster, Pa.) set a new Penn State record for digs in a rally-scoring match with 18 in fifth-ranked Penn State¡¯s three-game (30-28, 30-26, 30-22) victory over IPFW Friday night at the Golden Dome Classic in Newark, N.J.

Junior opposite Matt Proper (Guys Mills, Pa.) led all players with 17 kills while senior middle hitter Keith Kowal (Reading, Pa.) posted 13 kills on .545 hitting and junior middle hitter Nate Meerstein (Pittsburgh, Pa.) notched 10 kills.

Junior setter Dan O¡¯Dell (Rochester, N.Y.) dished out 51 assists while Vogel recorded the highest dig total ever in a Penn State rally-scoring-era match with 18. Vogel previously tied the record of 17 this season against Brigham Young on Jan. 6 and again at Ball State on Jan. 21. In his 13 collegiate matches, Vogel has recorded six double-digit dig contests and is averaging a team-high 2.50 digs per game for the season.

Penn State recorded 7.0 team blocks in the outing, led by Proper and Kowal with four each and Meerstein and sophomore outside hitter Aaron Smith (Richmond, Va.) with two apiece.

The Nittany Lions continue action at the Golden Dome Classic when they take on No. 12 Ohio State on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the Penn State men¡¯s volleyball team, please visit www.GoPSUsports.com.