In an attempt to bolster his team in preparation for a run at the Big Ten women's tennis championship, Iowa head coach Paul Wardlow has turned the Hawkeyes into road warriors.
Iowa will play 15 of 20 matches during the spring semester away for Iowa City. Included on the Itinerary are trips to Texas A&M, Rice and Kansas in addition to the usual Big Ten competition.
The Hawkeyes (3-6, 1-1 Big Ten) have already played a number of top teams, including Vanderbilt and Notre Dame, away from home.
This Saturday, the Iowa road show rolls into Penn State's Sarni Tennis Center.
"The plan was to play as tough a schedule, both travel and competition wise, as possible," Wardlaw said.
"At this point I think we'd feel more uncomfortable playing at home."
For No. 72 Penn State (4-5, 1-2), this weekend, which also includes a match with unranked West Virginia this afternoon, is also important.
The Lady Lions, coming off a 1-1 performance over Spring Break in Bermuda, need a pair of victories this weekend to get over the .500 mark and put themselves in position for conference honors.
"This match against Iowa is definitely a priority for us," Penn State's Megan Marton said.
"A lot of our parents will be in town and we're always excited for Big Ten matches."
A Penn State victory on Saturday would be a major benchmark for the program. Last year's 4-3 Iowa win last season in Iowa City raised the Hawkeyes all-time series lead over the Lions to 12-1.
Senior Toni Neykova and sophomore Cassie Hass are Iowa's top two singles players and are both ranked among the top 120 players in the country.
Neykova also teams up with Deni Alexandrova to form one of the country's top doubles tandems.
"Our kids compete real well," Wardlaw said.
"Most teams are aware that when they play Iowa they'll have to play their best. I think our biggest strength is our depth."
West Virginia, coming a 7-14 season and sixth place finish in the Big East, should provide a good warmup.
The Mountaineers have never been to the NCAA team tournament and have never sent a player to the NCAA individual tournament.
The Lions will concentrate on getting to the .500 mark in front of a supportive home crowd.
The Lions are confident despite the dominance Iowa had had over them since joining the Big Ten.
