With a perfect 6-0 record, a No. 2 national ranking, and preseason expectations from conference coaches to win the Big Ten, an outside observer would be led to think the Penn State women's volleyball team is sitting pretty.

But head coach Russ Rose has other ideas heading into matches today against No. 15 Missouri and tomorrow night against No. 7 Texas at the Texas Classic in Austin.

"I didn't pick us second in the country and I didn't pick us first in the Big Ten," Rose said in his office before practice Tuesday. "I base my votes on what information I know."

What he does know is that the Lions are still trying to duplicate the formula for a Big Ten title that has worked for them over the past three seasons. That formula included since-graduated libero Kaleena Walters and setter Sam Tortorello, two players that collectively did not miss a match in the past three conference championship years.

Rose knew it would be tough to replace those players even with the addition of this year's freshman class--arguably the top freshman class in the nation--led by outside hitter Megan Hodge, the 2006 National High School Player of the Year.

That is why Rose scheduled relatively easy non-conference games compared with opponents from years past. At this point in the 2005 season, the Lions were 5-1 after six games, four of which were against teams that finished the season ranked No. 20 or higher the previous year.

This season the team is undefeated, but has played just one game against a nationally ranked opponent, a tough five-game win against No. 22 Louisiana State.

"You would have to be crazy to want to play that type of schedule [this year] with this amount of youth on your team," Rose said.

Rose has attempted to plug the hole left by Walters at libero with the combination of junior Kate Price and sophomore Laura Holloway, both former outside hitters, as well as sophomore Roberta Holehouse, but has not been impressed enough to start one consistently.

Tortorello's replacement at setter has been slightly easier to find. Freshman Alisha Glass started in all three wins by Penn State at Rec Hall this past weekend. Rose said Jessica Yanz, another member of this year's highly touted freshman class, may see time at the position today and tomorrow.

The Lions are trying to unearth consistency in handling the ball defensively, and that comes from the libero and setter, normally the first two players to touch the ball during the transition from defense to offense.

"It's important for us to find some sort of consistent rhythm as a team regardless of who's on the floor," said middle hitter Cassy Salyer, the lone senior seeing regular time in the starting lineup. "Obviously that makes it a little bit tougher when it's sort of rotating but if we're going to be successful we need to have some stability in those positions."

The team left for Austin yesterday morning in time to practice at Texas before playing Missouri at 5 today. Tomorrow's game against Texas will be televised live at 7:30 on College Sports Television (CSTV).

Rankings? What rankings?

So why doesn't Rose believe the Lions deserve their No. 2 national ranking and the preseason selection to win the Big Ten for the fourth consecutive year, both choices that came from polling collegiate coaches?

"The assumption must be that Sam and Kaleena weren't that valuable and we've got enough personnel returning," Rose said. "It's a sign of respect. We've had good success in the Big Ten, but success is historical. ... I would like to think I've got some players that are as good as anybody else in the conference, but good personnel doesn't always guarantee a good team. It might result in a really good instructional video but it doesn't guarantee that you're going to be a successful team."