The Penn State women's rugby team is getting used to this position.

After a cross-country trip to Stanford, Calif., the Lady Ruggers will begin their quest to win their first National Championship since 2000 tomorrow.

However, the Ruggers are no strangers to the Final Four scene, having been there eight out of the last nine years, including back-to-back championship losses.

Trip No. 9 has been easier than most, with the Ruggers breezing by Arkansas 36-21 and Ohio State 41-0 along the way.

The Ruggers, however, will take it, considering they lost 13 seniors from last year's team and had a horrible spring season weather-wise.

So, for the Ruggers, tradition has been served.

"I think this team stepped up and played its part in that tradition," Penn State women's rugby coach Peter Steinberg said.

The Ruggers will face a familiar opponent in Air Force in their first match.

Last year, Air Force came from behind to beat the Ruggers 12-7, despite being outplayed. This year, No. 1 Air Force will play the role of favorite over the No.4 Lady Ruggers.

No matter the case, the Ruggers are eager to get revenge.

"I think it does [motivate us]," Lady Rugger Katie Gloyer said. "We know we could have played a lot better against them and we could have been National Champions."

For the Ruggers to be successful, they will need to stay mentally focused, something they say has been a problem for the team. However, coming off two solid victories, the Ruggers feel they have put this problem behind them.

"I think the biggest thing is our mental focus," Lady Rugger Kim Magrini said.

Should the Ruggers get by Air Force, they would take on the winner of the Illinois vs. University of California-San Diego match.

With the pressure off, Steinberg said the team can go and play with no expectations despite the team's strong tradition.

"We can just go and play and see how we do as underdogs," Steinberg said.