IU swept away by Nittany Lions

It was no David versus Goliath ending at University Gym Saturday Night, as mighty Penn State showed why they are ranked No. 13, by beating the Hoosiers in three straight sets, 30-25, 30-25 and 30-25.\nIU (18-10, 8-8) looked like the favorite team early as the Hoosiers came out roaring in game one by grabbing a quick 7-2 lead. Penn State, (21-6, 11-5) narrowed the gap, however, and eventually took their first lead of the game at 13-12. Fortunately for the Nittany Lions, it was the last time they would have to grab the lead, as they held on for a 30-25 victory in game one. \nIn game two, the Hoosiers' picked up their defense against the tough Penn State attack. IU again jumped out to an early 11-6 lead on a spike by sophomore Christina Archibald.\nBut, like game one, Penn State weathered the early storm and took a 16-13 lead, their first since 3-2 early in the game. IU would narrow the gap at 24-22, but PSU held off the Hoosiers for a 30-25 victory in game two.\nIn game three, Penn State snatched the early 11-7 lead. IU, like Penn State in the previous two games, would climb back to within one at 13-12 on a monstrous block by junior Melissa Brewer. With the score at 22-20 in favor of Penn State, IU seemed to cut the lead to one, but a controversial call by the referees awarded the point and the momentum to Penn State. The Hoosiers cut the lead to 27-24, but after a Penn State timeout, the Nittany Lions won the next two points and the game by the final of 30-25. \n"We started out strong, but we just could not finish any game," coach Katie Weismiller said. "Give them credit, Penn State did a nice job offensively."\nSophomore Syndie Nadeau led the Nittany Lions in kills with 14, while senior Mishka Levy finished with 13 kills. \nFor the Hoosiers, Archibald led the team with 18 kills, while Brewer and sophomore Katie Pollom finished with 16 and 11, respectively. \n"It's frustrating because we are trying to gain respect," Brewer said. "But we cannot dwell on this match; instead we have to look forward to next weekend."\nPenn state, first in the Big Ten in team blocking, finished the match with 12 team blocks.\n"They are a good blocking team," Pollom said. "However, we still had many holes on offense."\nThe Hoosiers travel on Friday to Minneapolis to play Minnesota.