From 1998 to 2003, Virginia Tech rugby was a mainstay in the USA Rugby National Collegiate Division I Championship, but the team has struggled in recent years.
Ranked No. 19 nationally in the preseason after a 2008 season that ended in the regional playoffs, the Hokies are determined to make an impact on the national level.
Following the season opener against the Blacksburg Men's Rugby Football Club with a 26-10 win last Friday, the team jumps into its conference schedule against No. 9 Penn State Saturday, which has had the Hokies' number in recent years.
"There isn't really any way to prepare for them, just be ready. After last season, we know how to play against the bigger programs, so we just have to execute," head coach John Conrad said. "The worst thing we can do is worry about them and lose focus on our game."
Coming into the season, the Hokies will have to make up for lost players, but they are bringing valuable experience back in several key positions.
"We lost a lot of experience in the pack, but our back line should be good because we have been playing together for a while. We have a lot of creative guys this year, so it will be interesting to see," junior center Andrew Harasz said.