The Lady Lions will be travelling to Kissimmee, Fla., during spring break to take on four non-conference opponents under the warmth of the Florida sun.

But between swimming and sunbathing, the Lady Lions will have to bear down for four non-league matches in four days.

At 0-5, the Lady Lions are in desperate need of a win. The team has struggled against a tough opening slate, all against Big Ten opponents.

"It's been a while since we've won a match, and I think it's taking a toll," Coach Sue Whiteside said. "It's probably good right now that we have a break. We're going to play some other schools, out of our conference, and hopefully get some of our confidence back."

Like Whiteside, senior Kerri Kohr thinks that it will be important for the Lady Lions to do well and gain some confidence.

"We need to get some wins under our belt," Kohr said. "Our confidence is a little bit low right now."

The Lady Lions will get four cracks at picking up a win over spring break, with the first coming on March 9, against the Illinois State Redbirds.

Illinois State, coached by Jessica Daw, have gotten off to a quick start this season at 7-3. The Lady Lions have never played Illinois State, a member of the Gateway Conference.

Penn State's biggest match will be March 10, against arch-rival Syracuse. The Orangewomen, coming off a second-place Big East finish last year, have yet to play this season.

The Lady Lions will be ready to play against Syracuse, coached by Jesse Dwire.

"I know (Dwire) thinks this is his year to beat us," Whiteside said. "I know my players will be up for that match."

After Syracuse, the Lady Lions will take on Boston University. The Terriers, the three-time defending North Atlantic Conference champions, have not played yet this season.

In the last of its Florida matches, Penn State will tackle the Baylor Bears. Baylor, coached by Dave Luedtke, is off to a 2-3 start. Baylor is a member of the Southwest Conference.

In what should be a boost for the Lady Lions, Whiteside will gradually be working Kristin Kovalik back into the lineup. Kovalik had missed Penn State's last two matches.

Whiteside said that she will be looking for the most effective singles and doubles lineups while the team is in Florida.