When Penn State heads into East Lansing, Mich., this weekend to take on Michigan State, it will face a hungry and determined team.

The Spartans are off to a 3-1 start in the Big Ten, and the potential is there to keep things rolling in that same direction. At the head of a talented group of Michigan State women's volleyball players is one of four seniors, Sarah Gustin.

The heralded high school star has accomplished quite a bit in her impressive career. She is among the all-time school leaders in several statistical categories, including blocks, assists and kills per game.

Just recently on Sept. 29, Gustin reached a milestone, becoming just the 10th Spartan to record at least 1,000 kills in a career.

"It's a really great accomplishment for me," Gustin said. "But I think its more of an accomplishment for my teammates."

In the midst of all the individual achievements, however, the All-American candidate is still looking to accomplish the team goals she set when she came from her home in Hesperia, California to attend Michigan State. Those goals include a Big Ten and National Championship, and Gustin believes this season is perhaps her best chance to lead the Spartans to such prominence.

"I think this is the best team we've had in a while," Gustin said. "There's great chemistry here. Out of all the teams I've been on, this is the closest (to winning the Big Ten crown)."

Teammate junior Erin Hartley shares the same feeling.

"It think there is a good mix on this team (of upper and lower classmen)," she said. "I also think the senior leadership has really been great this year.

"We have the potential to win the Big Ten. I know every team is really tough this year and we're going to have to come in focused every match," said Hartley.

That focus will have to continue this weekend as defending Big Ten and National Champion Penn State (12-4, 1-3 Big Ten) visits Jenison Field House, where the Spartans are 4-0 this season.

The Lions have been struggling as of late, going 1-3 in conference play. They are trying to get some momentum this weekend, as they not only face Michigan State (10-3, 3-1) Friday night, but also another solid team in the Michigan Wolverines Saturday.

But Penn State's start won't fool Gustin or her Spartans teammates. They are aware that the Lions are still very capable of playing the top teams in the nation, as they have proved earlier this season.

Besides, this match is something Michigan State has been waiting for since its last contest with Penn State.

"I know we're all excited to beat Penn State, because none of us on this team have ever beaten them," Hartley said.

Gustin and her teammates will find out just how far they have come this year today at 8 p.m.