Maaria Husain wouldn't have believed you if you told her four years ago that she would be in this position.

After joining the Penn State women's tennis team her freshman year as a recruited walk-on, Husain steadily moved up the ranks and improved her game until she reached the position she holds today -- the No. 1 player and a key leader for the Nittany Lions.

This is a far cry from the expectations Husain and Penn State coach Buffy Baker had when Husain joined the team.

"I came in expecting to be kind of at the bottom of the line, and I kind of took it on as a challenge," Husain said. "I knew Buffy wasn't expecting much from me initially, I think I surprised her a little bit and the team, as well."

Walk-ons making Division I and II athletic teams are not uncommon, with many of them making practice squads and filling out the bottom levels of a team.

Husain's situation, though, is a rare one, especially because it happened in tennis.

In a sport in which most of the top players are either from warm-weather climates or overseas, to have a walk-on from Ohio competing and excelling at this level is striking.

Throughout high school, Husain exhibited tremendous athletic ability, not only in tennis but also in basketball and track. This ability was the main element that drew the attention of Division I schools like George Washington and Georgetown.

Baker also recognized that talent in Husain, despite what she saw as a lack of tough match-play results.

"She didn't have the experience that a lot of other players had, in regard to match play," Baker said. "I knew that she could get that. I saw the potential for her developing into a player."

After getting past the intimidation factor of playing with girls who were all on scholarship, Husain found that just through practicing she became increasingly comfortable at the college level. Working out with more talented players, as in any sport, allowed her to improve her game at a rapid pace.

While Baker was never concerned with Husain's fitness or ability to physically get through three-set matches, her biggest concern was Husain's mental toughness to win those tough matches.

In many matches that first year, Husain struggled with being in those situations and made a point of improving on that.

Another key to Husain's improvement was developing a more multi-dimensional game.

Coming in as a player who only wanted to leave the baseline to shake hands, Husain has built up a much stronger game at the net.

While she is still most comfortable from the baseline, Husain said she isn't afraid to move into net to close out a point.

"I'm a lot more comfortable playing a net game, where before I was a straight baseliner," Husain said. "I was like, I'll stay at the baseline 50 straight balls if I have to, instead of coming into the net after 10. Now I'm transitioning into that a lot better."

The results from those improvements have been on display this season.

After spending last year as the No. 2 player behind Leigh Ann Merryman, who graduated in 2004, Husain made the move to the top spot this year and hasn't looked back. She hasn't lost in singles since the first week of February and holds an 8-1 overall record, although she is still lacking a national ranking.

Although Husain is the top player and a senior on the team, she doesn't look at herself as the sole leader.

With no captains, the team exhibits the belief that everyone brings something to the table.

"I mean, look at Jenny Schular; she's a freshman, but I look at her as a leader; she's undefeated this season," Husain said. "I think a lot of different people are bringing things in. Hopefully, I lead by example on and off the court."