Success. For some, the term success means a continuity of excellence over a period of time.

Next weekend, the Penn State women's rugby team will look to continue their success as the Lady Ruggers make their ninth Final Four appearance in the last 10 years. The team has advanced to the title game in six of the last eight seasons, winning twice. "We definitely have a tradition," prop Jess Graham said.

This year's national championships will start next Saturday at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota. The Lady Ruggers will first face long-time nemesis Navy, whom the team has beaten twice this year. The Lady Ruggers triumphed 27-19 in the fall season and flattened a tired, injured Midshippers squad 70-0 for the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union (MARFU) championship. Because of the team's recent success against Navy, the team expects a tenacious attack forthcoming. "They (Navy) are going to be out for blood," hooker Alena Kolarsky said.

"Navy is going to be a lot tougher than they were at the MARFUs," team captain Claudia Knudsen said. "I expect to be much closer than even in the fall victory as far as level of play."

If the Lady Ruggers survive Navy's assault, they will face the Air Force/Illinois winner next Sunday with the national title at stake.

The Lady Ruggers fell to the Illini 22-5 in the fall season and view Air Force largely as an unknown.

"The Illinois game was at the beginning of the year, but we've come a long way since," prop Jess Graham said.

Their chance for a championship run comes as a result of the Lady Ruggers' dominating Sweet Sixteen showing in Orlando last weekend.

In the first game, the Lady Ruggers trounced the Oregon Ducks 59-5. Led by two tries each by Knudsen and Amy Manidis, the team enjoyed a dominating performance highlighted by pressure by the forwards and superb tactical play of Meg O'Melia.

The second match-up pitted the team against their rival Princeton, whom it trounced 50-10. Player of the Match Kim Magrini scored twice, with the first coming on a weaving 50-meter run and the second directly off the second half kick-off. Those scores combined with improved play by the backfield stymied the Tigers' title hopes.

These impressive victories came on the heels of a week of apprehension, as the Lady Ruggers tried to maintain a healthy balance of confidence by reminding themselves of the tougher competition ahead. "I think we told ourselves we weren't going to roll over anybody so we wouldn't become over-confident and complacent," Knudsen said. "We also weren't challenged as much as expected." Based on recent history and observations, the team expects fiercer competition in Minnesota, but the Lady Ruggers are definitely hungry for a championship.

"Rugby is always anybody's game on any given day," Graham said. "It's just a matter of the larger want."