Even with two days off, thanks to NCAA regulations specifying that the athletes must have a day off during a week's cycle, the Lions will be tested with the short preparation time for tonight's match.
Then again, Penn State has a short time until it goes on the road to No. 73 Cornell this weekend, followed by a trip home to close out this grueling stretch of matches.
"It's going to test our conditioning and willpower," senior co-captain Mark Barry said.
The mid-week match will also put a strain on the team's classroom success as well, with midterms dotting the week for many students, like Barry, who said he will be busy with tests and a paper this week, too.
Head coach Bill Potoczny says that although the match might create some conflict this week, it will pay off down the road, limiting traveling later in the semester.
"You hope the guys understand why we do certain things," Potoczny said. "We're going to be playing a tough Big Ten schedule with a lot of traveling this spring, and you hope they understand this will help with that."
While Bucknell will serve as one last tune up for the Lions before heading to Cornell to face their first ranked opponent, Potoczny expects that most of his projected starters should get the nod tonight.
The only lineup question is if junior Brad Hunter will be ready to play in both doubles and singles tonight. Hunter played in only one doubles match this past weekend, but will be a key part of the lineup for the spring.
While a letdown shouldn't be expected, to keep the team rested -- but not rusty -- during the stretch, Potoczny said he would keep practices short and intense for the week.
"Hopefully the guys are bringing enough intensity to a normal Wednesday practice so it won't be a stretch when having a Wednesday match," Potoczny said.
Penn State tennis player Mark Barry sets up a forehand shot.
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