One thing is for certain. The Penn State women's volleyball team will play three games this weekend and its opponents will be Rutgers tonight at 7:30 p.m., Quinnipiac and Akron tommorrow at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.

After that, things get a little unclear.

Everything from the starting lineup to how the team will play is up in the air as the Nittany Lions take to the Rec Hall floor for the first time since last December's NCAA tournament loss to UCLA.

"So far we've had five minutes of practice with the first team together in a week," Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose said.

Injuries have taken their toll on Rose's team this preseason, none being more prominent than All-Big Ten senior middle hitter Robyn Goukas' dislocated thumb.

After sitting out last year with an illness, Goukas' much-anticipated return has yet another obstacle. Due to her thumb, Goukas will be a game-time decision for tonight.

"I think Robyn is one of the best players in the conference when she is healthy," said Rose. "We need her out there."

No one, though, is suffering with the thought of Goukas sitting the weekend out more than Goukas herself.

"Its really frustrating to be on the bench, whether you're injured or not," Goukas said. "It kills me to see the team out there and know I can't help them."

No matter who is on the floor for Penn State, however, the Lions will have something to prove.

With their perch of near invincibility badly shaken after an unusual eight-loss season, each and every member of the team is desperate to get Penn State back to the top of the Big East division.

"As you get older, you become more and more aware of the tradition the program has and you will do anything to keep it going," junior middle hitter Cara Smith said.

Even those who have yet to play a competitive match at Penn State feel that they're part of something special.

"You can definitely feel the tradition," freshman outside hitter Kaleena Walters said. "[Rose] brings it up all of the time and you see all of the banners. It's definitely something you think about."

The first steps to reclaiming the momentum of that tradition will be taken tonight against Rutgers and continue with Quninnipiac and Akron tomorrow.

Both Rutgers and Akron are expected to contend for titles in the Big East and Mid-America conferences, respectively, and will likely provide Penn State with a pair of tough challenges.

"We're known as a defensive team," Akron women's volleyball coach Mike Sweitzer said. "We serve well and defend the baseline well. We have the reputation of being tenacious."

The Penn State coaching staff is well aware of what awaits them.

"They're both going to be tough," assistant coach Mike Schall said. "Rutgers especially, they were good last year and return almost everyone. It's going to be competitive. We're not even sure who's going to play. We know Mishka (Levy) and Cara will be on the floor and we'll go from there."

The return to greatness has to start somewhere.