The Penn State women's tennis team was unable to gain its first away victory this season as it fell to Ohio State 6-1.

"It was a bit disappointing, we typically have a great rivalry and battle with Ohio State -- we beat them twice last year so we knew they'd be out to get us," Penn State women's tennis coach Buffy Baker said.

Sophomore Jenny Shular said the team got off to a slow start in doubles but fought its way back as much as it could. In the end, the Buckeyes had solid, more well-rounded play.

The courts at Ohio State were very different from the ones at Penn State. The play is faster, the courts are closer together and the stands sit right on the courts, so the players were forced to make several adjustments.

"I was battling with a new facility, but I had lots of fun competing," Shular said. "I was beaten by a girl who played well, and I thought I could've given her a run for her money, but she was playing well, so I give credit to Ohio State."

Baker said the team didn't come out fired up and didn't compete well in singles.

"They were a little deflated after the doubles point," she said. "We didn't show up down the line ready to play at the level that we can display."

The Nittany Lions did have to fight through some tough spots this weekend, including their seven-hour journey in a vehicle to Ohio State. Baker noted that the preparation wasn't as great as it could have been.

"It's hard to expect them to be physically at their peak," she said. "Travel is not the easiest, but everyone has to deal with it -- I'm not pointing a finger at that."

The team appeared to have a lack of belief, though there were sparks of hope at times.

Nerves also contributed to the loss, in which freshman Lauren Holzberg scored the only point that Penn State had, defeating an Ohio State junior 13-3.

"Holzberg did an unbelievable job for us," Baker said. "She does a great job of doing what coaches tell her, and it's been great watching her step into that role and embrace it as a freshman."

For the past month-and-a-half, the Lions have been working on drills that share a theme -- developing points and earning points.

Baker said this is the point in the season where the team just wants to compete, while practice becomes something to stay sharp.

"They are getting better in practice," she said. "You don't usually see that happen, but I have seen them maintain a level of freshness."

Ultimately, the Lions see this match as a learning experience and something to improve upon for the last two home matches.

"The most important thing and the thing that becomes constant messages from the coaches is we're continuing to get better," Baker said.

Taking something positive from each match will help the team grow, and, by the end of the season, that is the barometer for success.