Penn State has not won two games in one weekend on the road yet this season.

Illinois has lost just one game in the last nine, and that was to conference leading Wisconsin.

Put them together and you've got all the stuff that makes Big Ten women's volleyball some of the best in the nation.

The No. 13 Nittany Lions (17-5, 10-4) travel to Champaign for a 7 o'clock match tonight at Huff Hall. Tomorrow, the Lions head to Bloomington, Ind. to take on Indiana at University Gym in another 7 o'clock match.

It's stretch time in the Big Ten, with just three weeks left of play. The No. 24 Fighting Illini (16-6, 9-5) are trying to catch the Lions, who continue a season-long battle against inconsistency.

"At this point in the season, the advantage definitely goes to the home team," said Penn State coach Russ Rose. "We've got to show that we have the ability to win on the road."

The Lions also have to prove they can show up for big games on a consistent basis. This will be their first game against a ranked opponent since a stretch two weekends ago that saw them beat No. 6 Wisconsin before getting trounced by No. 9 Ohio State.

"You get what you deserve in sports," said Rose. "This team doesn't work hard enough to deserve big wins."

Yet Rose knows his team has the tools. Penn State, which swept the Illini at home on Sept. 22, will use the same game plan they've used all season: good ball handling, solid setting, and power from Katie Schumacher and Mishka Levy at the outside hitter positions.

But the technicalities of the game have been the least of the Lions' worries. Instead, it has been a lack of intensity and focus that has dragged them down. Against Ohio State, they simply did not show up, something virtually unthinkable for a Penn State team in Rec Hall.

For all his experience, Rose hasn't figured out a way to get his team moving.

"Communication, sacrifice, caring about each other -- this team doesn't have it," he said. "So what do you do? You keep trying."

The Illini faltered early in the season with three loses in the first four conference matches. Led by the blocking of Lisa Argabright and Lydia Gard, they have worked their way within one game of the Lions. Outside hitter Shadia Haddad leads the conference in digs (3.60 per game) and averages 3.47 kills per game.

"We had some trouble at the beginning of the year last year, so I know what it's like," said Rose. "It's a tough job, so I really respect what Don has done."

The Don he is referring to is Hardin, the Illini coach who needs just two wins to reach 100 in his six years at the school.

For Schumacher, the trip to Champagne will be a special one, as her brother Jerry is a linebacker for the Illinois football team, which plays Penn State Saturday. No word on who "Schu" will be rooting for.

The Hoosiers (7-15, 4-10) are paced by freshmen Christina Archibald (4.11 kills per game) and Katie Pollom (1.15 blocks per game.) They have won three of their last five games.

The Lions haven't though much about their opponents lately, though. They have a simple goal for this weekend.

"We need to win these two games," said Schumacher. "It's that simple."