When Pilar Montgomery takes court tomorrow at the Big Ten tournament, the senior could be taking her last swings at the tennis ball for in a Penn State uniform. That is, if the magical ride of the Nittany Lions ends before taking aim at the field in the NCAA championships starting May 12.

Montgomery's stellar play at the No. 1 position has moved Penn State from the bottom of the conference to closer to the top. Now that the end is approaching, Montgomery faces the inevitable — saying good-bye.

"It's definitely in the back of my mind," Montgomery said. "It's sad that the final matches are coming to an end. I try not to think about it too much."

Even though the departing senior is vigorously attempting to stay focused, teammates can't help but think about the past few years and frown when thinking of Montgomery's final appearances as a part of the team.

"She's been a great friend to me," senior Teresa Whiteside said. "I spent a great deal of time with her."

Whiteside is also a senior taking her last shots with the racket. However, she and Montgomery walked separate paths to this graduation day. Montgomery redshirted during her junior season after two shoulder surgeries. Fate said the two would leave together.

"When she redshirted, I was secretly happy that we'd spend my four years together," Whiteside said.

Montgomery's doubles partner, Rebecca Ho, looks to assume the role of team leader next season at the No. 1. With that assent to the top, Ho loses the daily interactions with a dear friend.

"I'll miss her a lot," Ho said. "Not just as a doubles partner. If I have a problem I can always talk to her. She's like a sister figure. I can always call her, but it will be different with her gone.

"It's the friendship. I'll have a new doubles partner, but the friendship is what's hard to replace with a new partner."

The partnership on the court was the source of many victories. The pair scorched the Big Ten for eight wins. Montgomery considers her doubles win with Ho at the Cissy Leary Invitational at Penn in the fall a career highlight. This past Sunday, the duo won a tough battle against Simone Kung and Michelle Webb of Illinois 9-8. The pair cruised 7-2 in the tiebreaker.

Montgomery's doubles play has helped the Lions compete for the doubles point each match. However, the senior's singles play not only jumpstarted the team, but also an entire tennis program in this groundbreaking Lions season.

"She's been such a solid position for us," coach Buffy Baker said. "At No. 1, everyone is good and she's challenged every time. Her consistent play has been the key to the team's success."

Possibly the sweetest win for Montgomery came against Indiana's Kelly Blanch. Montgomery wanted to be a Hoosier, but head coach Lin Loring passed on Montgomery's credentials. Baker believes Loring made a mistake.

"Any coach who looked at Pilar and didn't pursue her is sorry for it," Baker said. "She's a great all-around student athlete."

Montgomery dominated Penn's Sanela Kunovac in their two meetings this spring. The first came in the Princeton Invitational's championship as Montgomery swept Kunovac 6-2, 6-3. Just a few weeks later, the senior won again. Montgomery started her senior season in strong fashion; beating nationally ranked Joyce Bergman of Tulane in straight sets.

Near her hometown of Santa Barbara, Calif., Montgomery defeated Jonni Seymour of UC-Irvine 4-6, 6-1, 6-3. While staying with Montgomery's parents, the team witnessed how important family is to the fifth-year senior.

Montgomery's parents adopted her and brought her to Santa Barbara when she was just a baby. She's grown from the tennis player at four years old to the standout at Penn State all in the same house.

"I'll be traumatized if I ever leave that house," Montgomery said.

Of course, to attend school at Penn State meant moving to Happy Valley. The freshman took the change hard at first.

"It was a huge adjustment for me," Montgomery said. "The girls on the team made it easier and I had a lot of good friends."

Now that she's a senior, Montgomery has returned the favor to her current teammates twofold.

"She's almost held that (team mom) role for me," Whiteside said. "For the younger girls on the team she's someone you'd go to for advice and someone you can trust."

Ho sings the qualities that make Montgomery so endearing.

"Pilar is Pilar," Ho said. "She lets people get to know her very well. You know that from the beginning. She just shines."

Now, all those years after picking up her first tennis racket and wearing her first in a long line of baseball caps, the final blue Penn State hat of her career makes its last few appearances.

"It's tradition," Montgomery said. "It keeps the hair out of my face and I'm extremely superstitious. I get a new one for each year. By the end of the year, it's pretty disgusting and I throw it out."

This last one might just be a keeper according to Montgomery. It should be. The senior looks to become only the second player in Penn State history to be a two time All-Big Ten selection with her solid 7-3 conference record.

Most importantly, the Lions set new marks in expectations for women's tennis at Penn State. The 5-5 record is a program best. Montgomery and Ho led the way and their teammates followed. The senior can't help but give thanks to her teammates for sending her off in this fashion.

"They've given me more enjoyment this season than I could ever imagine," Montgomery said as her eyes began to well up with tears. "I'll miss my team more than life itself."