To be successful in the Big Ten, the No. 70 Penn State men's tennis team (3-1) must be sure to bring their "A-game" on any given day.

Tomorrow's contests against Toledo (2-3) and Bloomsburg (2-2) will test the Nittany Lion's ability to do that, and test their stamina.

For the first match of the day, the Lions must be ready to face a very dangerous Toledo team. The Rockets play many of the teams in the Big Ten, and are coming off of a big win against No. 26 Ferris State University.

"They are going to come after you," Penn State men's tennis coach Jan Bortner said. "They play teams in the Big Ten, so they won't be intimidated by Penn State."

The main area of concern for the Lions will once again be in the doubles matches, where Toledo is very strong. Bortner called Toledo's style as smash mouth, and, "in your face" doubles play. The Lions should get a lift in doubles from senior Roddy Cantey, who returned last weekend from a knee injury and is arguably the team's best doubles player. However, the status of the knee, and how it will affect his play is unknown.

Once again, the Lions will be looking to improve on serving aggressively, as well as accurately. Bortner compared serving on the tennis court to pitching in baseball. He used the analogy of a pitcher's number one pitch to a tennis player's number one serve, and how each player must use his best stuff and come at his opponent.

The second match of the day, against Bloomsburg, on paper should be an easier match, as the Huskies are a Div. II team.

Once again though, the Lions will have to be ready for them.

The Huskies defeated Duquesne handily earlier this spring and have no trouble matching up against some Div. I programs.

"Bloomsburg is one of the top Div. II teams in the country," Bortner said. "They will surprise a lot of people."

The match's main purpose is as a tune-up before Big Ten play starts after spring break.

However, it is the second match they will be playing that day and with the tendency for these matches to go long, the Lions must be well rested for their second match.

"When you play two matches in one day, you find out what you've got, and what kind of shape you're in," Bortner said.