STATE COLLEGE, Pa., March 15, 2002 - The fourth-ranked Nittany Lions defeated Rutgers-Newark Friday night in four games (30-25, 30-27, 22-30, 30-20) to push their winning streak to 14 matches, including a perfect 10-0 at Rec Hall. Penn State improves to 15-2 overall, 8-0 in EIVA Tait division play while the Scarlet Raiders fall to 10-7, 5-3 in conference action.

Junior outside hitter Carlos Guerra (Tamaulipus, Mexico) led the Lions in kills for the eighth time this season with his team-leading 20 kills while hitting .469. He also produced his fourth double-double of the season, racking up a match-high 15 digs. Junior middle hitter Zach Slenker (Dallastown, Pa.) tallied 15 kills while junior opposite Zeljko Koljesar (Kitchener, Ontario) notched nine. Senior Jason Hawkins (Lake Mary, Fla.) and sophomore Norm Keil (St. James, N.Y.) each recorded seven kills.

As a team, the Lions hit ..371 compared to .246 by Rutgers-Newark. Penn State also won the digging battle, 32-18 and outblocked the Scarlet Raiders 10.5-9.5. On the season, the Lions are 13-1 when leading in digs and 11-0 when winning the blocking war. Koljesar led Penn State with five blocks in the contest while Hawkins added four and Slenker and Keil each tallied three. Senior setter Jos¨¦ Qui?ones (Bayamon, Puerto Rico) led the Penn State offense in the win with 52 assists.

Rutgers-Newark won the struggle from behind the serving line, notching 11 aces to Penn State's six. Junior outside hitter Jeremy Hoff led the Scarlet Raiders with a match-high 24 kills while senior Ryan Burrow tallied five aces. Freshman setter Aleks Ondelj notched 42 assists and senior middle Jeremy Desiron recorded six blocks in the loss.

Penn State remains at home for their next match, taking on NJIT on Saturday, March 16 beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the South Gym of Rec Hall.

For complete match and season statistics, please visit the men's volleyball page at www.GoPSUsports.com

--LIONS--