Nothing could stop the staging of the Penn State Fall Classic Invitational. The women's collegiate tennis tournament went on as planned at Sarni Tennis Center over the weekend, with all scheduled matches completed despite the cold temperatures, rain and even reports of sleet and hail.

"It was really cold Saturday," junior Rebecca Ho said. "It was definitely tough to play in."

Nittany Lion head coach Buffy Baker acknowledged the harsh conditions, but said that the other three teams attending were affected more than Penn State was.

"It was a definite disadvantage for our opponents," Baker said. "We should be a little more used to (the cold)."

No. 1 singles player and southern California native Pilar Montgomery agreed that Penn State probably was more prepared, but that does not mean she was not affected.

"I got so sick," she said. "I have a really bad cold, and am finally getting over a sinus infection."

If Montgomery was affected by the conditions that much, she sure did not show it by her play.

The senior won two of her three singles matches in the Classic and finished third in the doubles tournament with partner Ho.

"I felt like I played well all weekend," Montgomery said. "But the one loss was just heartbreaking."

That loss came against Alabama's Emmanuelle Berard in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

"Emotionally, that match was very tough on her," Baker said. "I think her emotions got the best of her. She wasn't able to control her emotions as well as she needs to on the court."

Sophomore Judy Wang, junior Janelle Perez and freshman Kristen Nowicki won their singles matches verses the Crimson Tide Saturday.

Penn State next won five of six singles matches against Houston to close out the event.

"As the weekend went on, we all played better as we played more," Wang said. "We kind of came out flat (in the New Mexico match), but once we got comfortable, everyone looked better."

The doubles teams of Montgomery and Ho and Nowicki and Perez both beat teams from Alabama, which impressed Baker.

"These were all good teams we played, especially Alabama," she said. "It was good to see us play so well against them. They play at a high level."

Montgomery and Ho will move on this weekend to play at a level even higher.

The two traveled to Los Angeles yesterday for the ITA National Hardcourt Championships, slated to get underway tomorrow.

"This is a great opportunity for Rebecca and Pilar to get national exposure and experience against some of the top players in the country," Baker said.

The tournament is the second leg of collegiate tennis' 'Grand Slam' and both Ho and Montgomery will play singles and doubles.

"It is very, very tough," Montgomery, who is making her third trip to the National Hardcourts, said. "The best of the best (are there)."

"It's a long road to the title." Ho said. "Every match is tough. There are no easy matches."

Ho was invited to the event two years ago as a freshman and says that experience will help her this time around.

"I know what to expect this year," she said. "I know it will be a competitive tournament. I just need to play the best I can. I have to try and play like I practice, using the things I work on everyday."