When the going gets tough, the NIU volleyball team gets even tougher.

So does the competition.

NIU hopes to avenge last weekend’s third season loss to the University of Michigan when Loyola University and Ball State University pay a visit to Chick Evans Field House Friday and Saturday.

“Looking at our record, we’ve won a good share of our matches,” Waite said. “So we just need to keep our confidence up. Both Loyola and Ball State are great challenges for us. They have solid programs, and it will take a lot of work on our part to win.”

The Loyola Ramblers (7-5) just finished in a three-way tie with Hofstra and Illinois State at the Wisconsin Invitational for second place. In Friday’s match against NIU, the Ramblers look to last year’s five-game victory over the Huskies.

“Loyola went 26-10 last year and are returning a lot of their players,” Waite said. “They’ve had a lull but they’re still a good team. They beat us in Chicago last year and we’re hoping to return the favor.”

Meanwhile, BSU (7-3) is looking to do a little of the same. The Cardinals are back with six seniors, five of whom are returning starters, who saw NIU take its team in three games last season.

“Ball State is really hoping to win the Mid-America Conference this year which is a really strong conference,” Waite said. “They’re hoping to get their seniors together and make it happen.”

Even though two of the Huskies’ three losses this season have been at the hands of Big Ten schools and Loyola and Ball State equally pose a threat, Waite believes the stronger the competition, the better.

“We like to compete against good teams,” Waite said. “We seem to play better when we do.”

Waite himself has a personal interest in the match against Ball State.

Waite played four years for the Cardinal’s men’s volleyball team which was consistently ranked in the NCAA Top-10. Waite received All-MIVA honors his junior and senior years while leading Ball State’s serving and passing game as an outside hitter.

“There’s always that extra drive to beat your alum,” Waite said. “And both the head coach (Randy Litchfield) and the assistant coach played at BSU, so we’re friends. We have fun playing against each other.”

NIU’s game against Loyola, which is being taped by Sports Channel to air Saturday at noon, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Friday. Saturday’s Ball State-Huskie match is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. as well.