Aug. 23, 2007
DeKalb, Ill. - The Northern Illinois volleyball team will jump-start their season this weekend as they play their first matches of the season at home on Victor E. Court. The Huskies will play host to Indiana University, Western Illinois University, and Western Kentucky University in the Northern Illinois University Invitational. Northern Illinois opens up against Western Illinois on Friday, August 24 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, August 25, the Huskies face Indiana at 1 p.m. and Western Kentucky at 7 p.m.
According to NIU head coach Ray Gooden, the Huskies are thrilled to be back in action and are prepared to get the season started.
"I know that the girls are really excited to get the regular season going," Gooden said. "We're excited to play our first matches of the year at home against three very solid teams."
With a young team that includes one senior, five juniors, six sophomores, and two freshmen, Gooden wants the Huskies to grow together as a team to get them rolling early in the season in order to follow-up last year's Mid-American Conference West Division title. Northern Illinois posted a 20-9 (13-3 MAC) record a year ago.
"As we go throughout the year we are going to try and build upon what we have," said Gooden. "We are going to try and start to get a strong foundation established in this tournament. It will be nice to do things to defend our home court. We want to play hard and play well together as a new unit."
The first match for NIU will be against Western Illinois on Friday, August 24 at 7 p.m. The Westerwinds are coming off a second place finish in the Mid-Continent Conference with a 2006 record of 14-15 (9-3 Mid-Con). WIU will return five starters, including Mid-Con co-Player of the Year Ashley Baker, to a team that led their conference in digs per game and finished second in blocks per game.
"Western Illinois is always tough," Gooden said. "They're an in-state rival and are always a solid team. They play with a lot of energy and they have their own unique style. We have to be prepared for that."
The Huskies first of two matches on Saturday, August 25 will be versus Indiana at 1 p.m. IU finished 11th in the Big Ten Conference in 2006 with a 10-22 (1-19 Big Ten) record and will return four starters in 2007.
"Indiana is a Big Ten program," Gooden said. "They will be playing at a high level."
NIU's second match on Saturday will be against Western Kentucky at 7 p.m. to wrap-up the tournament. The Lady Toppers return five starters to a team that won the Sun Belt East Division in 2006 with a record of 26-10 (14-3 Sun Belt).
"Western Kentucky is a tournament-proven team and they've got a very solid program," Gooden said. "They are usually a very physical and smart team."
With such a diverse set of opponents in the tournament, Gooden will be able to get a good read on what type of team he has on his hands and how they will attack the MAC.
"We've got three different match ups with three different styles, which will help us in the long run for our conference," said Gooden. "It will be great to play these teams this weekend."
Tickets to the NIU Invitational are available at the door beginning one hour before match time. Listed below is the full even schedule.
2007 NIU Invitational Schedule
Friday, August 24:
5p.m. - Western Kentucky vs. Indiana
7p.m. - Western Illinois vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday, August 25:
11a.m. - Western Illinois vs. Western Kentucky
1p.m. - Indiana vs. Northern Illinois
5p.m. - Indiana vs. Western Illinois
7p.m. - Western Kentucky vs. Northern Illinois
