Friday, April 3, 1998

Woeful netwomen seek late run

By TIM GRECO
Collegian Sports Writer

With more than four times as many losses as wins and no conference victories, things would seem bleak for any team.

But not for the Penn State women's tennis team.

Going into this weekend, the Lady Lions are 2-9 overall and 0-4 in Big Ten play. That is a far cry from last year's 10-10 record that placed the Lions eighth in the Big Ten.

But with two important home games in the next three days, this could be the time to turn the season around.

"We're confident we can end the season very strong."

- sophomore Alison Barnett

"We're confident we can end the season very strong," said sophomore Alison Barnett, a member of the squad's No. 1 doubles team. "Our goal as a team is to make the NCAA Tournament and to do that we can't afford to lose any more matches."

Barnett along with No. 1 singles player Pilar Montgomery make up the No. 1 doubles team for the Lions. The duo has put forth the best finish for the team this season, getting to the finals of the Princeton Invitational only to lose to host Princeton.

The first test will come today at 3:30 p.m. in the form of one of the nation's hottest teams, Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU, which began the season with two losses, has climbed to No. 22 in the nation and rattled off 12 wins in a row. The Rams bring their streak into Happy Valley looking to prey on the Lions for number 13.

After VCU, the Lions will face a tough Rice University team Sunday at 9 a.m. The Lady Owls boast a 12-5 overall record and in their most recent match, a victory over Lamar University, the Owls lost only one set combined between singles and doubles. The victory clinched the 10th straight season over .500 for the Owls.

Although neither match can provide the Lions with their first conference win, a victory over a top 25 team would provide a much-needed spark for the struggling squad. If there are any plans for a Lion postseason, the team should know by Monday if it has any chance at receiving an NCAA Tournament bid.