The seniors are the heart of the team. The freshmen are its future. But as Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland likes to say, you need bread at both ends to make a sandwich, but it is what's in the middle that makes it complete.

The Lady Lions have seniors Lisa Shepherd and Maren Walseth leading the way for the Lions , while Kelly Mazzante and Jessica Brungo help comprise a strong freshman cast. But the players that make it or break it for Penn State, says Portland, are sophomore Ashley Luke, junior Katrena Carr and a junior forward from Philadelphia with a killer singing voice and a jump shot to match.

A key reserve for the Lions during her first two seasons, Rashana Barnes has found her place in the Penn State starting lineup this year. Barnes is averaging 10.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocked shots per game heading into tonight's clash with Indiana. It was less than two weeks ago that Barnes lit up that same Hoosier team, tallying 23 points, 15 boards and 4 blocks in an 89-68 Penn State win.

It was the most dominating performane of Barnes' career, though it came as little surprise to her teammates.

"She's the kind of person that has some awesome moves and at times she will just make your jaw drop," Shepherd said. "That helps our team out a lot -- bringing that kind of spark to the game when we need it."

Like Penn State, Barnes has had her share of struggles this season. She has gotten into foul trouble in several games, fouling out of three. And when she's not on the floor, Penn State has a tougher time rebounding, one of the big reasons why the Lions have lost three of their last four.

"It's really frustrating. I've never expected to lose three games in the conference like we did," Barnes said.

But it's no coincidence that when Barnes plays big, so in turn do the Lions.

"When (former Penn State All-American) Andrea Garner left here last year, she said Rashana could be the next Penn State All-American," Portland said. "And I think barring injuries that's very true."

Barnes said she was flattered by the praise, but she also feels that she can live up to such lofty expectations.

"I really feel like I can live up to that," she said. "I feel like I can do more things on the court. I haven't yet done all of what I set out to do this season."

A multi-dimensional player, Barnes rewrote the Penn State record for blocks as a freshman (32) two years ago, but she can also get it done on the offensive end, and her scoring and rebounding have steadily increased each of the past two seasons, and she leads the team with two double-doublesthis season.

"She can block shots, she's a great rebounder and she can score in many ways," Shepherd said.

And like those before her, including Garner, Barnes is striving to contribute in other important ways.

"Rashana's helped me out a great deal," freshman Courtney Upshaw said. Upshaw is one of four Lady Lion freshmen who are being baptized by fire this season, and Barnes and her fellow upperclassmen are patiently helping them along.

"She's helped me out with the little things in my game but she's also helped me adjust socially off the court," Upshaw added.

That hasn't been a tall task for the easygoing Barnes, who is constantly keeping things light with her endless supply of songs.

"At times she can seem very quiet, but there are times where she's really funny," Shepherd said. "She'll start dancing or singing -- she's always singing."

Singing not only helps keep teammates loose but also helps Barnes relax, she said.

"I'll just sing a song about anything that comes to my mind," she said. "Music is my release from basketball."

Barnes agrees that the junior class must provide the seniors with support if Penn State is to get back to the Final Four.

"It's really important. We know what to expect and what to do, and we have to try to relay that to other people," she said. "It's their senior year, they take on a lot and it's hard to do that."

Barnes knows it is vital to support this year's senior class, as she will be looking for similar support when she assumes the role of team leader next season.

"I just try to help this team out in any way I can, whether it's rebounding or scoring," she said. "And just in trying to get this team motivated."

After all, what's a sandwich without anything in the middle?