While concluding its fall season, the Penn State men's tennis team is also taking its first step for the spring campaign.

The Nittany Lions will compete in the Big Ten Individual Indoor Championships this weekend with the qualifying round beginning at 9 this morning in East Lansing, Mich.

The tournament gives the Lions their first taste of Big Ten competition since last spring, and for three freshmen on the roster, their first ever. In the eyes of the Lions, this tournament could have a heavy bearing on how they will fare once the spring semester rolls around.

"In the past, this tournament set the tone for spring; for guys who play well here, it's good preparation for them," interim head coach Bill Potoczny said. "Part of that is confidence, and then it's also the first time they see Big Ten tennis. After this there is more of a sense of urgency."

That sense of urgency should be felt right away for the team, as its two senior co-captains, Mark Barry and Malcolm Scatliffe, did not travel to East Lansing for Big Tens.

Sophomore Chris Sherman and freshman Alex Mast also must come out of the gates swinging, as the two players must compete today in the qualifying round. Sherman earned a seed, and both players need only one win to gain a berth in tomorrow's main draw.

The six other players competing for the Blue and White will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow, but none of them earned a seed in the tournament.

Ending the fall season with a conference tournament will also get the Lions ready for hard-serving Big Ten play. Michigan State's indoor courts are very fast and the Lions must play an attacking style of tennis to be successful.

At the conclusion off practice on Wednesday, Potoczny told his players that they had to "hit their weapon," and must be looking to "sting and attack" when the opportunity arises. The Lions worked extensively on hitting serves and returns, which will no doubt play a large role in the weekend's matches. He also told the team to be aggressive on break points and that it must force opponents to be on the defensive.

"Any time you're playing indoors and it's going to be fast, you've got to be serving well and playing with speed," Potoczny said. "You have got to be in control, though -- you've got be looking to play offense but you can't be careless."

Playing fast and aggressive but also in control may be the biggest test for Mast and the Lions' other two freshmen, Adam Slagter and Brendan Lynch.

"It's a big step up, but I know all the guys will do great -- they all have the potential to step up for us," junior Ryan Berger said. "At the same time it's fun to have to step up like that, and that was one of the reasons I came here, to play in the Big Ten."