As the camera rolled for College Sports Television's "Total Access," players from the No. 3 Penn State women's volleyball team gathered in a circle, holding their collective breath as senior Sam Tortorello hosted a segment of 20 questions.

"If you could date any boy, who would it be?" Tortorello asked, gazing into senior Kim Holm's eyes, fearing the response. Instead of preparing for a 7:30 match tonight against No. 11 Wisconsin (16-3, 8-2 Big Ten) and Northwestern (12-8, 3-7 Big Ten) tomorrow at Rec Hall, they waited for Holm's answer.

"Brandon Ream," Holm replied with a smile, referring to Tortorello's boyfriend and backup punter for the Penn State football team. The Nittany Lions erupted in laughter, shortly after walking back over to the practice court.

Penn State women's volleyball coach Russ Rose enjoyed his own television interview, but pointed out shortly after that despite all the fun the Badgers are looking for a fight.

"On their Web site, all the articles they are talking about revenge being a factor," Rose said. "I hope that people wouldn't look at women's sports that way, but we need to play better than we've practiced."

This wouldn't comply with freshman Laura Holloway, who had the microphone shoved in her face and simply gave the peace sign when asked for her astrological sign.

On Oct. 8, against then-No. 8 Wisconsin, the Lions swept the Badgers in Madison after what Rose described as a "great week of practice." This week, Rose hasn't been impressed with his team's effort.

Effort was not relating to performance in front of the camera, as Holm was quite the comedian in answering whom she would want to play her in a movie. Not to break the scoop for CSTV, but it's Stifler's mom.

Rose instead questioned his team's focus, as this week's match can give Penn State some breathing room in the Big Ten. At 10-0 in the conference, the Lions have a long way to go if they want to end up on top.

"I don't think anyone has talks about something if there are halfway to something," Rose said. "When we're 18-0, then I might have a conversation."

Today will be a first test to see if they can get there.

"I've been doing this for 30 years, and I understand that tomorrow we could lose," Rose said. "What I don't understand is how people can't embrace the opportunity to want to get better every day."

Wisconsin comes into town in second place in the Big Ten behind Penn State, which has an unblemished record in the conference. Badger senior Sheila Shaw leads a physical team with 1.69 blocks per game. Junior Cassy Salyer, who bent over in hysteria after hearing Holm's interview, knows she has to be up for this match.

"It's important for people in the front row to be in the right position," Salyer said.

"Last time we served well and passed well, and that helped us take advantage of our size."

Freshman Audra Jeffers, who Rose describes as one of the Big Ten's best newcomers, leads Wisconsin in kills with 3.43 per game. Penn State is similar, in that it is lead by freshman Nicole Fawcett's 4.46 kills per game. The only problem is that with both teams being somewhat even, Rose doesn't see too much of an advantage in being at home.

"We've played better on the road then we have at home," Rose said. "Hopefully other people don't have the same potential."

One thing for sure is that the team's jokes would definitely play better at home. Only insiders know that when Holloway repeatedly says she wants to be more like Tortorello in an interview, she isn't quite serious.

It took Tortorello and Holloway a couple takes to get that one down. The Lions only have one take to win today.