The women's tennis team's hot streak came to a crashing halt with frusting weekend losses to both Ohio State and James Madison.

On Friday afternoon, visiting Big Ten rival Ohio State knocked off the Lady Lions 5-4. James Madison followed Ohio State's lead, beating Penn State by an identical 5-4 score.

Penn State had won three of its four previous matches, but after the two weekend losses the Lady Lions have now lost three in a row.

The losses dropped Penn State to 3-8, 0-6 in the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes (6-7, 1-5) collected their first Big Ten victory, while James Madison improved their record to 14-3.

For a team that was hoping to pick up at least one, back-to-back 5-4 losses can be a disappointing.

"We're a little frustrated because we were so close," Jen Farrington said. "When everyone works so hard it's kind of frustrating when you lose a close one."

Coach Sue Whiteside was frustrated by the losses as well, especially since she feels that the Lady Lions could have won both matches.

"We should have beaten Ohio State. I know we can beat those teams," she said. "If you're not playing well, you have got to find a way to win."

Although the Lady Lions failed to pick up a team victory, Whiteside was encouraged by several individuals.

In singles, No. 5 Denise Robison won both her weekend matches, defeating Ohio State's Mercy Kertis 6-3, 6-1, and James Madison's Caroline Cox 6-0, 6-4. Robison has not lost in singles yet this season.

Freshman Sara Bartlett, playing at the No. 6 position for the Lady Lions, also picked up two victories this weekend, improving her season singles record to 4-2.

"She's really playing well and she's into her matches," Whiteside said about Bartlett. "She's really dominating and that's a good sign."

Penn State's No. 2 doubles team of Farrington and Andi Chiumento won both their weekend matches as did the Lady Lion's No. 3 team of Kristin Kovalik and Robison.

Whiteside was especially happy about the play of Farrington and Chiumento.

"They don't try just one thing and stay with it. They really try to mix things up," she said.

Despite the team's frustrating start, the players aren't quite ready to throw in the towel.

"It's not over yet." said Bartlett. "We still have four Big Ten matches left. We don't plan to finish last."