Netmen to host E. Michigan, Wisconsin

The Penn State men's tennis team loves to play at home in University Park. Maybe it's because of the weather. Maybe it's because there is no traveling involved.

Or maybe it's because the team has never lost at home this season.

Both matches pose threats for the Lions, but there is no doubt who the Lions are yearning to face.

"We are really focused on Wisconsin," junior Mike Griesser said. "They are our first real test of the season."

The season thus far has a roaring success for the Lions. They have defeated two of the top programs in the country, Princeton and Temple, and have just returned from a productive spring training trip in Miami full of practice, practice and more practice.

"We've played really well so far this season," Griesser said.

The Lions, who lost to Wisconsin last year at the Badgers' facility, want to begin their conference season this year with a win. But it will not come easy.

"In the Big Ten, every team and every seed is pretty well contested," coach Jan Bortner said. "So, I expect a real tight, close match."

The Badgers have two standout performers in freshman Stefan Reist and junior Mark Loughrin. Reist sports a huge serve with an equally tough forehand that often mows down opponents. Loughrin, a transfer student from the University of Texas, has a solid all-around game with very few weaknesses.

The Wisconsin tandem will probably face No. 1 singles seed Griesser and No. 2 seed Colin Smeeton. Griesser's game is similar to Reist's -- he likes to slam a furious serve and then rapidly approach the net for the kill. Smeeton's game is also similar to Loughrin's because Smeeton is known to have a finely tuned, well-rounded game.

The Penn State senior knows Loughrin has serious game.

"If I do end up playing Loughrin," Smeeton said, "I'll have my hands full."

The Lions realize the doubles matches will be extremely important to win because the two teams are so evenly matched in the singles competition.

"The doubles point will be huge," Smeeton said. "It's going to be very important to win."

Following the top two seeds for Penn State will be sophomore Marc Dorfman at No. 3, junior Eric Meditz at No. 4, freshman Matt Nielsen at No. 5 and freshman Marc McCallister finishing the Lions' attack at No. 6.

Because of the dreary weekend weather expected, both matches are expected to played indoors. But most importantly, for the Lions at least, they'll both be played at home.