There could not be a better way to jump back into Big Ten action for the Penn State women's tennis team (6-5, 0-1 Big Ten).

The team is coming off of back-to-back sweeps against Lehigh and Bucknell and now the women are looking to continue their winning streak with two important conference wins this weekend.

The Lions will battle Illinois at 5 p.m. today and Purdue at 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Penn State Indoor Tennis Center.

Although these matches are coming shortly after the Bucknell match, the women are up for the challenge.

The three matches within four days may be a little demanding, but so far the women are handling the fatigue well.

"It could be physically challenging," junior Sasha Abraham said. "It's not something that we have done too often in the past. But then on the other hand, it will be a good test for us."

The adrenaline that comes with Big Ten matches should help the team maintain enough focus to go into this weekend with a competitive edge.

Penn State's first Big Ten loss against Indiana is now being used to propel the team forward.

"Indiana happened, and we learned what we needed to learn from there," Abraham said. "If we all dwell on that, it is going to be hard to move forward. As long as we've learned our lesson, and have been working hard, I think we are ready."

All of Penn State's remaining matches are against Big Ten opponents, and the competition will only be more difficult.

The small rivalries in between Big Ten teams will only make these next couple of matches all that more important for Penn State to come away with wins.

"I think when you play within the Big Ten, it's a different feeling than obviously playing a non-conference team," Penn State women's tennis coach Buffy Baker said. "Such great rivalries have been established.

"Both teams are very good. We've always had heated battles with them in the past, so I'm looking forward to it. They will be great matches."

Illinois comes to Penn State also with one conference match resulting in a loss.

In addition, the Illini are equipped with dangerous sophomore Macall Harkins, who has been recently named Big Ten Player of the Week.

Purdue's only Big Ten match so far was a win over Illinois. The Boilermakers, however, are going to be coming straight off of a match against Indiana.

There is no denying that the competition this weekend will be difficult, but that will only force Penn State to come out even stronger.

"Illinois and Purdue are two very strong teams," Abraham said. "Those who returned from last year are aware of their level. Both of them are ranked pretty high.

"Then again, the better the team, the higher the level of play comes out in us. Is it going to be hard? Yes, but I think we are all ready for the challenge, and really looking forward to it."