DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University women's tennis team returns from a two-match road swing to play host to UIC at the Boylan Tennis Center Friday.
 
After a pair of tough losses to SIUE and Marquette, the Huskies (6-4) enter Friday's match with the Flames hoping that the familiar surroundings of their home court will help them get back in the win column.
 
 
"I think it will be nice for the team," NIU head coach Tanya Mahefu said of playing at home this weekend. "We haven't lost at home all year and we're excited to be back in our comfort zone."
 
While the wins haven't been there, Mahefu has been pleased with the way her team has competed the last two matches.
 
"We're right there with some of those teams we lost to the last two weeks," she said. "Now, that we're at home, I think the experience we've had when we're up in matches and able to convert in our comfort zone, should help us get those wins in close matches."
 
NIU is 5-0 on the season at home, including 3-0 at the Boylan Tennis Center. Friday's match with UIC, which begins at 12 p.m. CT, will be the final home match before the Huskies embark on four-match road swing.
 
UIC (5-3) has won three of its last four matches, but is 0-2 on the road. The Flames took last year's meeting, 5-2, in Chicago.
 
"UIC is a tough team," Mahefu said. "They've won the Horizon League or have been in the final for several years. They're going to be a good challenge for us. Last year was a tough match and I expect it to be a tough match this week."
 
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