The No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions men's gymastics team opens their 2001 season tomorrow against the No. 11 Massachusetts Minutemen in Amherst at 7 p.m.

The Nittany Lions are the defending national champions and come into Boyden Gymnasium against a team that already has one big win under their belt.

The Minutemen defeated six other teams in the 10th Annual UMass Men's Gymnastics Open on Dec. 2.

This year UMass features a team comprised of eight seniors who are looking for their third straight ECAC title.

"This is definitely going to be an early season test," said senior All-American Ted Johnson. "It's one of many tests, because in our third meet we face Michigan."

The Lions come into this year without two-time NCAA Pommel Horse Champion Brandon Stefeniak and have lost senior Adam Benas, a challenger for the NCAA high bar crown.

The Lions do return 11 gymnasts, including four former All-American performers.

"I think there is a little bit of pressure because its hard to say with a new set of points and all the other teams," said senior and All-American Rob Saliski.

"We are not really going into this season thinking we are the champs because there are five other teams just like last year who are capable of winning the national title."

Saliski said this fact provides extra motivation for Penn State.

"We have to look at it as we want to go out there and win another title. It's a whole new year; a whole new ball game."

The Lions have not lost in 21 meets with Massachusetts and defeated them last year in a home meet at Rec Hall. This time the Lions must attempt a repeat performance on the road.

"I definitely don't think it (being on the road) puts as much pressure on us as performing in front of everyone in Rec Hall," said Johnson.

Tomorrow, the Lions will start their climb back to the NCAA Championships.