The ship is righted. Or is it? The Penn State women's volleyball team rebounded from a three-match losing streak and losing four of five overall in deciding fashion last weekend with two three-game sweeps against Purdue and Illinois at Rec Hall.

But that was at home, and the Nittany Lions (20-5, 10-4 Big Ten) are a different team away from those friendly West Campus confines, losing only once there all season (that being to No. 14 Wisconsin in five games).

Truth be told, the Lions have been only a .500 team in the conference on the road, and this weekend's matches with Ohio State (14-10, 8-7) and Indiana (18-9, 8-7) will provide the true test as to whether or not the Penn State team that stood at 17-1 just four weeks ago was the real Lions or the one who limped through much of the three weeks that followed.

The Buckeyes and Hoosiers represent two teams operating on opposite ends of the fulfilling-expectations spectrum. Ohio State was expected to compete for the Big Ten crown after going 27-4 a year ago.

But the Buckeyes fought injuries early on and are only now finally getting back into the form that was expected of them. After starting 0-5 in the conference, Ohio State has won seven of nine and five of six.

Indiana had been a Big Ten doormat through much of the 90s, not finishing higher than fifth since 1995.

But the Hoosiers upset Ohio State in the Big Ten's first match after a solid non-conference slate, and have for the most part won their home matches (going 5-2) and matches against some of the league's weaker teams.

To be sure, going into places like Columbus and Bloomington will not be easy.

But if the Lions are what they say they are -- a national contender -- these are the type of matches they need to prove they can win on or off the road.

-Chris Adamski