State College, Pa. - The Penn State volleyball team has announced its team captains for the 2000-2001 season. Co-captains for the upcoming campaign will be senior libero Steve Aird (London, Ont.) and junior setter Jose Quinones (Bayamon, Puerto Rico). Aird and Quinones will be returning captains for head coach Mark Pavlik's squad. In 1999-2000, Aird and Quinones joined senior Adam Whitescarver as tri-captains for a NCAA Final Four squad which won the program's 12th EIVA championship.

"Both of these guys bring back some good competitive experience," head coach Mark Pavlik said. "They know this team as well as anyone. Last year was their first year leading the team. This season they have to take the step to the next level. The unit as a whole will benefit because there are not as many personnel questions. These guys will have a great impact on helping this team reach its goal: a national championship."

The Nittany Lions begin their season in Rec Hall January 13, at 7:30 p.m. against Ohio State.