Upon getting drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2000 NFL draft, Lavar Arrington ingratiated himself with Lawrence Taylor by calling himself "L.A."

Arrington may be gone, but the L.A. moniker lives on at Penn State through freshman women's tennis player Leigh Ann Merryman. Joining with teammate senior Teresa Whiteside — or T. for short — the tandem is double trouble against Big Ten opponents.

Head coach Buffy Baker jumped at the chance to put these two together.

"One reason was that Teresa is one of our players who has a natural ability in doubles," Baker said. "She has a natural serve and volley. I like to put experience with someone with less experience. L.A. has a big serve. They compliment each other well."

As it stands now, the pair has an overall record of 9-2. More importantly, when the pressure is on, the duo delivers. The two were forced to clinch the doubles point on Sunday against Iowa. Stepping up at big points, a trademark of the two, Merryman and Whiteside beat their Hawkeye opponents 8-5. Merryman predicted the win.

Just one match earlier, Kealy Carter and Irina Bovina snapped a five-game winning streak by the two Nittany Lions.

"Teresa and I will get it back," Merryman said. "Today was just a bad day."

It's times like that match against the Hawkeyes, when the two play their best. This pair refuses to fold under pressure. It's also a time of fun for the players.

"Usually, most teams don't acknowledge that we need point out loud because you don't want to put added pressure on yourselves," Whiteside said. "But, L.A. will just come out in this really serious and intense voice and be like, 'Now T, we have to win this match, OK?' I can't help but laugh."

Merryman sees those periods in a similar light.

"I have a tendency to look over at the other courts," Merryman said. "If one team's down and one is up, it pumps me up ever more. It makes us even more aggressive."

Simply put, the two have a good rapport with each other on and off the court. Outside of the tennis scene, the two are great friends.

"It doesn't matter she's a senior and I'm a freshman," Merryman said.

"I love L.A. to death," Whiteside said. "She is so much fun to be around. L.A. definitely knows how to make me laugh."

Their solid relationship off the court fosters good communication on the court.

"Communication is the key to success for doubles teams," Baker said. "It comes pretty naturally for both of them."

Merryman takes exception to losing the doubles point. Not just because of her fierce nature, but also due to Whiteside not playing singles this season.

"I definitely want Teresa to win," Merryman said. "When we don't, it puts pressure on my singles match."

Whiteside has adapted well, taking the change in stride after a period of adjustment.

"It's definitely a different role for me," Whiteside said. "Initially, I was very discouraged, but since then I put it behind me and have taken on a better attitude."

As the season winds down, the doubles point looms large. Whiteside and Merryman, or T. and L.A., strive to move the Lions up the Big Ten ladder. After Whiteside's gone, she knows the future of Lion tennis is in good hands.

"L.A. is going to have a great college career," Whiteside said. "She's a tough competitor and she hates to lose."

With Arrington gone, the new L.A. can take over. And just as the former linebacker teamed with Courtney Brown, the tandem of Merryman and Whiteside looks to ascend the Lions to the top of the Big Ten standings, just in a different sport.