NEWARK, N.J., Feb. 19, 2005 - The fifth-ranked Penn State men's volleyball team topped No. 12 Ohio State in three games (30-24, 30-20, 30-21) Saturday night to increase its winning streak to 12 matches. The Nittany Lions improve to 12-2 while the Buckeyes fall to 10-5.

Junior Matt Proper (Guys Mills, Pa.) led the Lions with 15 kills and sophomore Alex Gutor (State College, Pa.) posted nine in the win. Senior Keith Kowal (Reading, Pa.) and sophomore Aaron Smith (Richmond, Va.) each chipped in six put-aways as Penn State outhit Ohio State .329 to .137.

Junior setter Dan O'Dell (Rochester, N.Y.) directed the offense with 28 assists and along with freshman libero Gary Vogel (Lancaster, Pa.), led the defense with six digs.

Penn State recorded 11.0 team blocks to Ohio State's 8.5 as O'Dell, Proper, Smith, Kowal and junior Nate Meerstein (Pittsburgh, Pa.) all tallied three stuffs.

The Nittany Lions return home to host NYU on Friday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. before welcoming Springfield on Saturday, Feb. 26 for a 4:00 p.m. match in the South Gym of Rec Hall.

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