Kohr, Farrrington serve into Penn State sunset

Last weekend the Penn State women's tennis team knocked off Purdue 5-1 for the team's first-ever Big Ten victory.

This weekend the Lady Lions hope to pick up two more conference wins as they close out the regular season against Michigan (6-3, 11-7 in the Big Ten) and Michigan State (2-7, 8-11).

At 1 p.m. today, the Lady Lions host Michigan and at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning, they host Michigan State. Both matches are at the Penn State Tennis Pavilion.

Penn State (4-9, 1-7) could make a move in the Big Ten standings with a victory against either of the Michigan schools.

But for two Penn State players, these last two matches mean more than just an opportunity to advance in the Big Ten.

Seniors Jen Farrington and Kerri Kohr will be playing at Penn State for the last time in their collegiate careers.

Both Farrington and Kohr said that they were anxious to play this weekend's matches.

"I'm really excited," said Kohr. "I'm looking forward to (playing the last two matches)."

While these matches take on an added importance for Kohr and Farrington, Penn State can move into the middle of the Big Ten standings with a weekend sweep plus some help from Purdue and Illinois.

Penn State, currently in 10th place, trails ninth-place Michigan State by just a half a game. With a victory over the Spartans, the Lady Lions will clinch that ninth-place position, which becomes important for the Big Ten's tournament seedings.

If Penn State manages to sweep its weekend matches and Ohio State loses its two remaining Big Ten matches, the Lady Lions will be able to move ahead of the Buckeyes and finish the regular season in seventh place. Ohio State closes out its Big Ten season with matches against second-place Illinois and 11th place Purdue.

Penn State Coach Sue Whiteside said that moving up in the conference standings would be a big boost for the Big Ten Tournament, scheduled to start April 24 in Chicago.

"When the seedings come right down to it, it's going to be an interesting Big Ten Championship (Tournament)," she said. "It's going to anyone's ballgame."