After three competitions, the Penn State men's gymnastics team members are at the point where they are getting more comfortable with each other and are gaining confidence in their teammates' performances. They expect a lot more out of each other than in the pre-season, but at the same time expect to have the same pressure put on them.

"We have to have confidence not only in our own performance, but also in our teammates," junior Duke Van Vleet said. "As long as everyone believes in each other, I think we'll be okay."

Despite being the lower-ranked team heading into tomorrow's meet against the University of Illinois, the Nittany Lions must maintain a positive outlook.

"If you don't think you are a better team, then there's no way you can beat them because you already think you're going to lose," Van Vleet said. "I believe we are better than they are. I'm not taking away from them, but we're a better team, period."

The No. 4 Lions (9-0) will face No. 2 Illinois (6-1) tomorrow at 1 p.m. in a double dual meet with the women's team at Rec Hall.

As the team continues its Big Ten schedule, the younger gymnasts will continue to look to the upperclassmen for guidance.

"I'll lead them by example. I'll show that the hard work in practice has paid off and perform well," junior Zack Roeder said.

One of the gymnasts who will lead the team tomorrow will be junior Kevin Donohue. Donohue was named the Big Ten gymnast of the week for the second consecutive week and only the third time in his career. This honor came after he posted his career high all-around score (53.659) at the University of Michigan last Saturday.

"Kevin Donohue has established himself as a really sound and solid performer," head coach Randy Jepson said. "Having those kinds of routines to bank on is really a good thing."

Senior Adam Benas and junior Matt Abboud are also two Lions who will be looked upon to be leaders against the Fighting Illini. Benas placed second on the floor exercise and third on the high bar and Abboud placed second in the all-around and three other individual events to help Penn State defeat the Wolverines for the first time in two years.

"Matt Abboud has done a good job for us," Jepson said. "Adam Benas is starting to get a bit more comfortable with his routines. That will be important."

During the week of practice since the Michigan meet, the team has focused on the second half of the routines and dismounts and has continued to work on the pommel horse. Even though these areas have been stressed, results will not be seen immediately.

"All of those things are just going to take some time," Jepson said. "You just can't make the changes overnight."

Besides worrying about landings and the pommel horse, the Lions have also had to work through one of their top gymnasts, Van Vleet, being ill. He fought a sinus infection last week and is now dealing with food poisoning. Because of these illnesses, he has not had as much practice time as the rest of the team, but refuses to let that stop him.

"Even if I'm not 100 percent, I think that the extra bit of adrenaline you get for meets will put me pretty much where I need to be," Van Vleet said. "I need to be ready because I want to help out. I'll do whatever it takes to be there."