Amanda Rome might have said it best Saturday night when they were asked about the team's two freshmen.

"They're the only two that are playing good for us right now," the junior outside hitter said.

In a year when the Penn State women's volleyball team has been struggling to find chemistry, freshmen Cara Smith and Jessica Hayden have been the unifying force.

The two have come into Penn State and carried the Lions so far this season.

Hayden's style of play can be labeled as passionate and aggressive, while Smith is silent and determined.

Either way, they both bring much-needed excitement to a squad that is desperate to find anything positive about the way it is playing.

"We are not playing with any chemistry out there," Rome said.

Penn State (12-4, 1-3 Big Ten) has struggled throughout the season with chemistry and has had a hard time solidifying a starting roster. That allowed Smith and Hayden to make the climb up the roster and earn starting roles.

"Other than the freshmen this weekend, no one else played well," Penn State coach Russ Rose said after Friday's loss.

When the Lions opened the season, Rose went with sophomore Shannon Bortner. Bortner was supposed to step in and fill the high-profile setter position after four-time All-American Bonnie Bremner graduated. However, her sub-par performances enabled Hayden to step into that role.

Though Rose says Bortner is an integral part to the Lions offense, her playing time has diminished and she only comes in to serve.

Hayden has enjoyed the starting role and has no intentions of letting go. She is learning the system and becoming more familiar with the offense every time she steps on the court.

"It's not a matter of knowing what player wants the ball because I believe everyone wants it," Hayden said. "It's just a matter of knowing what player is hot at the time."

With Hayden in charge, a lot of her emotion gives the team a much-needed boost for a squad that is struggling.

Smith also has played more of a factor in the offense. Throughout the weekend matches, it became more evident that Hayden has found a chemistry with Smith that has slowly blossomed over a period of time.

"Both of us had played in camps before, and now we are getting a better feel for one another," Smith said.

Though Smith and Hayden are only freshmen, their strong play has risen on a team that has lacked solid performances all season.