University Park, Pa., April 20, 2005 - The Penn State women's tennis team will close out its regular season at home this weekend with two conference matches, hosting Michigan State on Friday and Michigan on Sunday. Penn State enters its final two duals with a 6-11 overall mark, 1-7 in the Big Ten.

For two key players, these matches will be the final ones as Nittany Lions. Seniors Maaria Husain (Marion, Ohio) and Sarah Spence (Calgary, Alberta), who have played at No. 1 and No. 2 singles for most of the season, have stepped up as leaders of a predominantly young team and been instrumental in many of the Lions' victories. As a doubles tandem, they have also led the way for Penn State. No. 1 player Maaria Husain enters this weekend's matches with a 9-7 singles record.

Senior Jess McKeown (Toronto, Ontario) has also been fundamental for the Nittany Lions. While she hasn't played regularly in singles competition, she carries a 2-2 doubles record when playing with sophomore Katelyn BeVard (McLean, Va.) and a 1-1 record when playing with freshman Jenny Schular (Peachtree City, Ga.). However, Husain, Spence and McKeown leave the team with promising talent. Sophomores Andreea Niculescu (11-6 singles), Sasha Abraham (7-10 singles) and Katelyn Bevard (6-10 singles), and freshman Jenny Schular (14-3 singles) have all stepped up for the Nittany Lions this season.

No. 74 Michigan State comes into Friday's match with a 11-9, 1-7 Big Ten mark, while No. 36 Michigan holds a 10-9, 5-3 Big Ten mark. Friday's match against Michigan State will begin at 5 p.m. while Sunday's match against Michigan will begin at 10 a.m.