"I'm glad we're going over there," Penn State coach Jan Bortner said of the trip to Altoona. "You get a short warm-up before the match and you really have to make a quick adjustment to the faster courts."
The Lions had trouble with Indiana's fast courts two weeks ago, in a 7-0 loss. By playing on the fast courts in Altoona, the Lions should start to get accustom to dealing with the fast bounces. In practice this week they also worked on lining up for returns a step in from the baseline to become more comfortable with reacting quicker to serves.
However all the tune-up games and different surfaces cannot prepare the Lions for the outdoor conditions they must deal with later this spring, and much like every Penn State student, the Lions are anxious to get out in some nice weather.
"I love playing outside -- I've been playing outside my whole life," junior and No. 2 singles player Malcolm Scatliffe said. "Even though my game is more of an indoor type game, I'd rather be outside in the sun -- I'm looking forward to it a lot."
The Lions could get their first shot to play outdoors at home next Friday against Purdue, but with unpredictable weather conditions, it could be quite some time before the Lions can enjoy a match with the sun on their shoulders.
Almost as inconsistent as the weather of Centre County has been the play of the team lately. It seems as if the Lions are either blowing out opponents, with five shutouts this season, or getting beat handily, winning only one point in their two Big Ten losses.
"It strange because normally in college tennis you'll get more 4-3, 5-2 matches," Bortner said. "At this point of the season I think a lot of the Big Ten matches will be a lot closer, with more 4-3's from here on out."
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