In 1999, Penn State captured the NCAA Volleyball National Championship. That same season, Minnesota hosted the Nittany Lions at the Sports Pavilion marking the first ever sell-out crowd in Golden Gopher volleyball history with 5,840 fans in attendance. Penn State won that match 3-1, but it set the stage for a remarkable rematch in 2000.

One year later, the Penn State came back to the Twin Cities as reigning national champions. They were also looking to avenge a loss earlier in the year at the hands of Minnesota that had ended their 87-match home winning streak. The Golden Gophers seized the opportunity and before a crowd of 5,116, upended Penn State in five thrilling games. Five Minnesota players remain from the 2000 squad and without doubt remember that match against Penn State.

"It was loud and when we won a game, it went crazy in (the Pavilion)," said senior Lisa Axel. "I remember that Tipper Gore was there too. It was a fun match to be a part of and the atmosphere was really electric."

Indeed, a home crowd can sway the momentum of a tight match. In the 2000 season the Golden Gophers averaged 2,557 fans per match, which was fourth in the nation. Minnesota has a similar home court advantage this season with an average of 1,832 per match, which ranks 11th in the nation in attendance. Head coach Mike Hebert certainly values the importance of a home-court advantage.

"The home crowd's boisterous support can energize a team to play with great determination and confidence," said Hebert. "In volleyball, it is generally conceded that a home crowd is worth two or three points per game. A jam-packed Pavilion may be worth even more."

A jam packed Pavilion has certainly been the trend when Penn State and Minnesota have clashed in the past. Junior Kelli Wicks remembers the Gophers victory clearly, and echoes the statements by Hebert about the difference the crowd can make when it gets going.

"Whenever we have a big crowd, it provides us with a lot of energy," said Wicks. "We feed off the crowd and whenever we get down, it helps to hear them trying to get us back up. There's an incentive to win for everyone who's at the game."

In 2002, Minnesota finds itself in a similar position to the 2000 season. No. 8 Penn State comes to the Pavilion with a 16-1 overall mark, while boasting a 6-0 record in conference play. The ninth-ranked Golden Gophers were the highest ranked Big Ten team in the Top-25 for the last three weeks before falling to Illinois at home last weekend.

"Penn State is a strong team," said junior Cassie Busse. "They may not have all the star players like their other teams of the past, but we both usually play great matches against each other and it's always exciting. I expect a great match this year. We're both at the top of the Big Ten and we are both going to come in and play hard. Whoever plays big at the right time will be the determining factor in who ultimately wins the game."

The past two seasons the series has been split with Minnesota winning both matchups in 2000 and Penn State sweeping the series in 2001. Both matches at the Sports Pavilion have been five-game thrillers. Junior Erin Lorenzen has also seen the battles these teams have had the last two years.

"It is going to be a great match," said Lorenzen. "Both teams will be fired up, but whoever can put it together in the end by getting the big points and playing patient will probably win."

Lorenzen also believes that for a successful run at the postseason, a victory against Penn State could mean the difference.

"We've had a target on our back all season long but now the pressure is on Penn State," said Lorenzen. "We need to come out, play hard and win. We definitely want a shot at the Big Ten championship"

Over the past three seasons, Penn State and Minnesota have posted the second and third best records in the Big Ten respectively. The Nittany Lions claimed a national title in 1999, while Minnesota was just one match from claiming the Big Ten title in 2000. They both want to win badly and they both know the other stands in their respective post-season paths.

"Our chemistry this year is as good as I have seen it since I have been here," said Busse. "We are a very consistent and determined team this season. We don't let set-backs or runs stop us from achieving our goals."

With the recent history that these two teams have had there is no reason to expect anything less then an exciting match that could have a major impact on the final Big Ten standings. The past three seasons more than 13,600 fans have witnessed one of the newest emerging rivalries in collegiate volleyball at the Sports Pavilion. The 1999 and 2000 matches 5,000-plus attendances, combined with the current success of both teams this season would suggest that this match should be an equally hot ticket.

In 1999, Penn State captured the NCAA Volleyball National Championship. That same season, Minnesota hosted the Nittany Lions at the Sports Pavilion marking the first ever sell-out crowd in Golden Gopher volleyball history with 5,840 fans in attendance. Penn State won that match 3-1, but it set the stage for a remarkable rematch in 2000.

One year later, the Penn State came back to the Twin Cities as reigning national champions. They were also looking to avenge a loss earlier in the year at the hands of Minnesota that had ended their 87-match home winning streak. The Golden Gophers seized the opportunity and before a crowd of 5,116, upended Penn State in five thrilling games. Five Minnesota players remain from the 2000 squad and without doubt remember that match against Penn State.

"It was loud and when we won a game, it went crazy in (the Pavilion)," said senior Lisa Axel. "I remember that Tipper Gore was there too. It was a fun match to be a part of and the atmosphere was really electric."

Indeed, a home crowd can sway the momentum of a tight match. In the 2000 season the Golden Gophers averaged 2,557 fans per match, which was fourth in the nation. Minnesota has a similar home court advantage this season with an average of 1,832 per match, which ranks 11th in the nation in attendance. Head coach Mike Hebert certainly values the importance of a home-court advantage.

"The home crowd's boisterous support can energize a team to play with great determination and confidence," said Hebert. "In volleyball, it is generally conceded that a home crowd is worth two or three points per game. A jam-packed Pavilion may be worth even more."

A jam packed Pavilion has certainly been the trend when Penn State and Minnesota have clashed in the past. Junior Kelli Wicks remembers the Gophers victory clearly, and echoes the statements by Hebert about the difference the crowd can make when it gets going.

"Whenever we have a big crowd, it provides us with a lot of energy," said Wicks. "We feed off the crowd and whenever we get down, it helps to hear them trying to get us back up. There's an incentive to win for everyone who's at the game."

In 2002, Minnesota finds itself in a similar position to the 2000 season. No. 8 Penn State comes to the Pavilion with a 16-1 overall mark, while boasting a 6-0 record in conference play. The ninth-ranked Golden Gophers were the highest ranked Big Ten team in the Top-25 for the last three weeks before falling to Illinois at home last weekend.

"Penn State is a strong team," said junior Cassie Busse. "They may not have all the star players like their other teams of the past, but we both usually play great matches against each other and it's always exciting. I expect a great match this year. We're both at the top of the Big Ten and we are both going to come in and play hard. Whoever plays big at the right time will be the determining factor in who ultimately wins the game."

The past two seasons the series has been split with Minnesota winning both matchups in 2000 and Penn State sweeping the series in 2001. Both matches at the Sports Pavilion have been five-game thrillers. Junior Erin Lorenzen has also seen the battles these teams have had the last two years.

"It is going to be a great match," said Lorenzen. "Both teams will be fired up, but whoever can put it together in the end by getting the big points and playing patient will probably win."

Lorenzen also believes that for a successful run at the postseason, a victory against Penn State could mean the difference.

"We've had a target on our back all season long but now the pressure is on Penn State," said Lorenzen. "We need to come out, play hard and win. We definitely want a shot at the Big Ten championship"

Over the past three seasons, Penn State and Minnesota have posted the second and third best records in the Big Ten respectively. The Nittany Lions claimed a national title in 1999, while Minnesota was just one match from claiming the Big Ten title in 2000. They both want to win badly and they both know the other stands in their respective post-season paths.

"Our chemistry this year is as good as I have seen it since I have been here," said Busse. "We are a very consistent and determined team this season. We don't let set-backs or runs stop us from achieving our goals."

With the recent history that these two teams have had there is no reason to expect anything less then an exciting match that could have a major impact on the final Big Ten standings. The past three seasons more than 13,600 fans have witnessed one of the newest emerging rivalries in collegiate volleyball at the Sports Pavilion. The 1999 and 2000 matches 5,000-plus attendances, combined with the current success of both teams this season would suggest that this match should be an equally hot ticket.