"We're in a good place," Penn State women's tennis coach Buffy Baker said. "Both weekends were a success for us. We came within inches of pulling an upset against South Alabama."
South Alabama was ranked No. 14 in the country and Tulane in the Top 40.
While the Lions could have folded under the "almost an upset" syndrome, they instead came out fighting.
"We showed Harvard that you got to beat us," Baker said. "We won't lay down and die for you."
This week, the Lions make a short trip — just three hours to Rollins, the nearest indoor tennis facility to WVU.
Because of the losses, the Lions all will move up two spots. This doesn't fluster junior Janelle Perez.
"We have really good depth in our line-up," Perez said. "I feel I've been dominating my spot."
Perez will move to the second slot and Judy Wang to the first spot. Third and fourth will be freshmen Kristen Nowicki and Leigh Ann Merryman. April Uy and Teresa Whiteside fill the final spots.
Baker sees success in the Lions' immediate future.
"If we continue to play with the intensity of the last two weekends, we'll put ourselves in good position."
Whiteside agrees.
"Our schedule is a little lighter from here on out until Spring Break," Whiteside said. "But, we are very excited about what lies ahead."
What lies ahead is a chance to boost Baker's career record over the .500 plateau. She's currently 8-10, quite a contrast from the two years preceding Baker's arrival in which the Lions combined for a 5-33 record.
One question circles around the condition of Perez's shoulder — causing pain on the serve. However, she gives the thumbs up.
"I'm spending far too much time in the training room," Perez said, as she laughed. "Two times a day."
Still, the Lions have an excellent chance to keep this momentum rolling through the next two weekends or more. They return home on Feb. 23 to take on Eastern Michigan.
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