Netmen look to continue torrid pace on the road

The Penn State men's tennis team travels to Illinois and Purdue this weekend in an attempt to upset two Big Ten powerhouses.

The Nittany Lions (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten) hope to use the momentum of their current hot streak. They have won seven matches in a row, including Wednesday's 6-0 trouncing of Duquesne.

Despite the Lions' strong showing so far, they know things will have to go their way if they want to beat either Illinois on Saturday or Purdue on Sunday.

"We're going to be the big underdog," Lion coach Jan Bortner said. "Illinois is in the top 20."

Against Illinois (10-6, 2-2), which beat No. 3 Mississippi State earlier this season, the Lions will have need to use their service game to their advantage.

"We're going to have to serve and return serve to win," Bortner said. "Those are the keys to beating the big boys."

The Lions feel they can compete with anyone at the Penn State Tennis Center but are wary of traveling to the unfriendly confines of these two Big Ten rivals.

"I'd be a lot more confident if we were at home," Lion senior Chris Chang said.

Beating Illinois or Purdue would be a huge boost for the Lions in their quest to move into the Big Ten's upper echelon.

"I think we're right in the middle of the conference," Penn State's No. 1 singles player Michael Carter said. "Other than Northwestern, I think any team can finish anywhere."

The Lions need strong performances from all players, No. 1 through No. 6, to compete with these teams, something that really hasn't happened for them this season. Despite being forced to compete against two top opponents, the Lions don't feel overmatched.

"We're solid," Chang said. "Our top four guys can compete with anyone in the conference."

While the Lions are only .500 in the conference, they have played some top opponents and think the experience will help them against the Illini and Boilermakers.

"It's important that we do what we have done against Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Iowa," Carter said. "No matter how each match is going we need to keep our heads on straight."

Illinois, No. 15 in the country, is led by Big Ten singles champion Gavin Fontag and Big Ten singles runner-up Cary Franklin. While they are clearly a powerful squad, they are not taking Penn State lightly.

"We've really had a great year, but that doesn't guarantee anything," Illini coach Craig Tiley said. "We've always had close matches with Penn State. They're good fighters."

Doubles play has been a team strength for the Lions thus far, but they will be challenged by Illinois, who has lost the doubles point once this season.

Purdue (10-3, 3-1) is another Big Ten team that has burst onto the national scene with a No. 48 ranking. The Boilermakers, led by Cris James and Derek Myers, are coming off their first defeat of Michigan since 1938.