Think they can do it again?

In 2003, the Penn State women's volleyball team went 17-3 to win the Big Ten title. In '04 they repeated with an 18-2 record. And last season, the Nittany Lions did not lose any conference matches, going a perfect 20-0 to capture their third-consecutive championship.

Twenty more matches separate the Lions from their fourth-straight Big Ten title.

The first is at 8 tonight in Rec Hall when No. 2 Penn State hosts No. 12 Ohio State in a match that will be broadcast live on College Sports Television (CSTV).

"We've had some great matches with them over the years," Penn State head coach Russ Rose said. "I would expect this to be the same thing."

Both the Lions and Buckeyes went undefeated in non-conference play. Penn State (11-0) did so by beating a combination of nationally ranked teams and lower level competition. The Lions have wins against No. 5 Texas and No. 22 Missouri. Ohio State (10-0) has not faced a ranked team this season.

Penn State leads the all-time series, 27-13. The Lions also went 2-0 against the Buckeyes last season, sweeping the season series like they did against every other conference opponent.

The Lions return three starters: junior Melissa Walbridge and sophomores Nicole Fawcett and Christa Harmotto.

Fawcett, last year's National Freshman of the Year, Harmotto and the rest of the Penn State sophomores have never lost a conference match.

"We don't know what it's like to lose matches in the Big Ten," Harmotto said. "We don't want to talk about the whole losing aspect at all."

The freshman, class led by outside hitter Megan Hodge and setter Alisha Glass have not lost a Big Ten match either. This class has never played in one.

"The opportunities will be there for [the freshmen] to play well," Rose said. "We're playing at home. I'd rather start at home with two or three freshmen on the floor, then on the road. There's reason to believe that they'll be ready to play, especially Alisha and Megan who have demonstrated that they can step up and play well in these big matches."

Ohio State meanwhile, is starting freshmen on the road, including two middle hitters, Meghan Simons and Kristen Dozier.

The Buckeyes also return All-Big Ten setter Marissa Main and middle hitter Danielle Meyer, who leads the conference in kills per game (5.16).

So are Penn State's young players ready?

"That I don't know," Rose said. "But we'll find out."

Femme de mystère

Outside hitter Anna Szerszen, an Ohio State freshman, piqued the interest of Rose while he scouted the Buckeyes this week. Szerszen starts for the Buckeyes, but is from France, so information on her is few and far between.

"I'm sure all the coaches in the Big Ten will be, if not watching [our match], recording it because everybody's going to want to see the girl from France," Rose said. "Nobody knows who she is."

Rose did have tape of Szerszen ready for the Lions to watch before practice Monday.

Szerszen was captain of the French National Team at the 2006 women's Junior European Championships.

Price in

With senior opposite Cassy Salyer out indefinitely with a broken right hand, junior Kate Price will see more playing time.

Price was considered early in the season to be the replacement for departed libero Kaleena Walters, but sophomore Roberta Holehouse has become the starter at that position.

Salyer injured her hand last Tuesday and wore a cast while sitting on the sidelines this past weekend.