Compared to last week's walk in the park against an overmatched Rutgers team, this meet will be a true test of Penn State's ability.

Last Saturday, the Lions not only defeated Rutgers, but posted the nation's second-highest score with a 195.075. Senior tri-captain Missy Leopoldus tied her own school record on the balance beam with a score of 9.95 and was chosen Big Ten Gymnast of the Week.

"If we can find a way to beat UCLA, that would be a huge feather in our cap early," Penn State coach Steve Shephard said in a press release.

Apparently, the way to beat UCLA is through hard work.

"We had three days of hard practice and people are a little tired," said Ellen Casey, a senior tri-captain for the Lions. "We want to build on last week's meet."

Another team that has been building is UCLA. Bruin coach Valorie Kondos also held difficult practices this week and said that her team is in the best shape of any team she has coached before. But Kondos respects the Lions and is eager to test her team against another top-ranked school.

"Penn State is a great team and we've never been to State College before," Kondos said. "We want our team to be exposed to the best."

In addition to the grueling physical aspect of practices, the Lions have not ignored the mental component.

"The first week back is the hardest," Leopoldus said. Even though the team is mentally and physically tired, Leopoldus is confident it will bounce back.

"On Friday we'll be ready to go again," she said.

However, the Lions' sore muscles and other small aches still put them in better shape than UCLA when it comes to injuries.

Amy Young, the school's top freshman, underwent reconstructive knee surgery and will miss the rest of the season. Kaitie Dyson, another talented freshman, will not compete due to back pain.

New Hampshire comes into the meet with a 1-0 record. The Wildcats defeated Vermont 191.125-177.050 last Sunday.

While the Lions' goal is to win the whole meet, they also want to keep up the team unity.

"We want to hit all our routines and stick together as a team," freshman Nikki Bongiovanni said.

With that goal in mind, the Lions are prepared to tangle with Bruins and Wildcats.