The Lady Lions will be competing against over 150 teams on March 25-26 at North Carolina State.

Key stats: Long distance runners Kelli Hunt, Kris and Kim Kelly, and Dayna Holston in the javelin are looked on to improve on their previous performances in order to compete in the NCAA Championships later this spring.

Preview: In their first outdoor meet of the year, the Lady Lions hope to come out strong with performances that will set the tone for the season. Although there is no pressure on anyone, Coach Teri Jordan said she would like the team to establish national-worthy times.

Coach Jordan says: "We're using this (meet) as a good measuring stick to the rest of the nation. We want to start the season on a positive note."

The Lions (1-3) will face LaFayette at 2 p.m. tomorrow at Drexell and host-team Drexell (1-0) at 2 p.m. Sunday. All three teams are unranked.

Key stats: Penn State managed to have 34 shots on goal against Towson State's strong zone. Netminder Jason Johnson managed 8 saves to keep the score close.

Injuries: During last weekend's matchup, Brian Shorts and Bill Adolph both suffered from shoulder separtions and were not in practice this week.

Preview: Although the team is not expecting a difficult competition, the matchups will give some players who have been sick a chance to play. Andy King will be making an appearance in the net for the first time this season. The Lions will also use the opportunity to try some new things on defense, as well as in the midfield.

Coach Glenn Thiel says: "We've never lost to LaFayette. Our task will be to keep our focus. It's very difficult to play two games back to back."

Purdue (6-10) will host the Nittany Lions (6-7) today, tomorrow and Sunday for a four-game series at Ward Lambert Field in West Lafayette, Ind. This weekend's matchup will mark the beginning the 1994 Big Ten season for both of the unranked squads, which have never faced one another.

Key stats: The Boilermakers finished the 1993 season with a record of 36-22 and 16-12 in the Big Ten, giving them third place in the conference. Coach Steve Green said the team is experiencing some growing pains this year after having graduated eight starters. The Lions finished in the Big Ten's basement last year at 5-23, and 15-28 overall. They're looking to redeem themselves in the conference early on this year.

Injuries: Penn State's pitcher Justin Craig is out due to an elbow injury. The Purdue team has a few nagging injuries, but no major ones.

Preview: Senior pitcher Randy Geis will start his first Big Ten ballgame. Matt Weimer, John Maggiore and Tom Billek complete Coach Joe Hindelang's starting rotation. To match them, Green will send up hurlers Chris Bloomer, Jeremy Cook, Tom Morey and Mike Hedman. Both coaches are hoping the predicted fair weather and 40 degree temperatures hold up.

Coach Hindelang says: "My whole thing is to continue to play well defensively, get the good pitching that we've had, and now, get some good hitting."

The Lions (13-1, 4-0 EIVA) host Big Ten rival Ohio State (14-8, 5-2 MIVA) today at 7:30 p.m. The match will be played in South Gym because of this weekend's Big Ten Gymnastics Championships.

Key stats: Three of the six Lion starters are currently ranked among the nation's statistical leaders. Sophomore middle blocker Kevin Hourican is third in hitting percentage (.484) and tenth in blocks per game (1.57). Freshman middle blocker Ivan Contreras is tenth in hitting percentage (.438) and senior swing hitter Ed Josefoski is No. 17 in blocks per game (1.46). As a team, the Lions are fourth, with a .369 hitting percentage.

The Buckeyes made their first appearance on the national poll this week, coming in the "Others receiving votes" category. Ohio State is led by Jay Eastman (14th in the nation with a .423 hitting percentage) and Steve Potter (.522 aces per game)

Injuries: None to report.

Preview: The Lions, currently ranked No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the east, bring a 12-match winning streak into tonight's match. The rivalry between the two schools is only strengthened by the fact that Ohio State and Penn State are the only two conference schools with men's volleyball programs.

Assistant Coach Mark Pavlik says: "When we play in South Gym, we are very comfortable. The court that we will be playing on is the same court that we practice on."

Back-to-back games for the No.11 Lady Lions (1-2) as they take on No. 1 Virginia (2-1) tomorrow and No. 9 William & Mary (2-0 before yesterday's game with Dartmouth) on Sunday. Both games start at 1 p.m. in Holuba Hall.

Key stats: The old clich about how statistics lie holds true for the Lady Lions. In the team's past two losses, Penn State has had more saves than its opponents, but still lost. The key stat will be whether or not the Lady Lions can take care of the ball, having fewer turnovers.

Injuries: No injuries to report.

Preview: Coach Julie Williams expects two hard-fought battles but said her team should be ready for both. The coach said Virginia is a team with a young defense and young goalkeeper. However, that won't make it any easier facing the defending national champions. Williams said Virginia will be tough because they are a very disciplined team.

It doesn't get any easier after Virginia. Williams said one of the toughest aspects of the weekend will be trying to maintain focus on Virginia, and not look ahead to Sunday's game.

Coach Williams says: "Obviously it's tougher. You really focus on the first (game). You hope the Virginia game prepares you for the William & Mary game."