For this weekend's two Big Ten matches, the No. 63 Penn State men's tennis team should not have to look far for inspiration.

Not only are the matches against Wisconsin tomorrow and No. 42 Northwestern on Sunday, must-wins for the Nittany Lions (11-7, 2-4 Big Ten), but Sunday will mark the final time three Penn State seniors will take the courts at the Sarni Tennis Center.

The final home matches of the season for the Lions will be the ultimate tests of determination and toughness. For the Lions to move up in the rankings, and earn a bid to the NCAA tournament, they must improve their Big Ten record.

Wisconsin (7-10, 2-4) is deadlocked with the Lions in a four-way tie for sixth place in the conference. Tomorrow's match can serve as redemption, especially for the seniors, who lost to the Badgers last season.

"They beat us last year, and have a lot of the same guys back," Penn State men's tennis coach Jan Bortner said. "Despite what the rankings say, we're the underdogs. We're going to have to play a heck of a match to pull off the upset."

Northwestern is not even on the minds of the Lions at this point, as they must take it one match at a time to fight their way back into contention. However the Wildcats (13-2, 4-2) are having a great year, tied with Indiana for fourth in the Big Ten.

The Lions must look to their three departing seniors for leadership this weekend.

Roddy Cantey, who has been injured for most of the season with a torn meniscus, has been a staple on the Lions roster since his freshman season. Serving as an emotional leader, this season Cantey has shown unparalleled toughness and heart, battling through his pain. This weekend, Cantey's ability to play in four matches, both doubles and singles, is still in doubt. However, if he can move at all Cantey will want to be on the court.

Third-year senior Clint Keithley, who is graduating this spring after three years, will also be playing his final home match. Keithley will leave for graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago, working toward a master's degree in architecture. In his final two home matches, Keithley could add to his remarkable experience here at Penn State.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity to come to a school like Penn State and compete in the Big Ten," Keithley said. "I don't think there's any other school where the community, the students and the professors all give this kind of support to the athletic program. I couldn't have picked a better place to come."

Todd Stecko will look to turn around some disappointing performances over the last few matches in his final home meet of his career. Stecko, a workhorse type player, willing to go deep into matches will look to pick up a vital singles point as he did in the Lions' last two wins, both home matches. Supporting their teammates will be crucial for the Lions.

Although the focus will be on the seniors this weekend, the importance of the matches cannot be taken lightly, as each one is a do-or-die situation for the Lions.

"I hope the seniors stay focused on their tennis," Bortner said. "Then they can go out in a flurry, playing the best tennis."