Hearing the words “Big Ten” doesn’t frighten second-year NIU Men’s Tennis Coach Charles Merzbacher.

This Spring, the Huskies will face six Big Ten opponents, who are all ahead of NIU in the Midwest Region Poll.

Merzbacher’s crew, ranked No. 13 in the Midwest, will face its first “Big” challenge this Sunday, taking on Purdue (No. 11) at 2 p.m. at West LaFayette, Ind.

“The Big Ten is a very good tennis conference and getting better each year,” Merzbacher said. “But it’s not what’s on your shirt that matters, it’s what’s in your heart.”

The Huskies suffered a 3-6 setback last year to the Boilermakers, but NIU plans to make amends Sunday.

Sophomore Dustin Dobrin said he did not know what to expect last year against Purdue, but this year he knows what to expect. “I’m more prepared,” Dobrin said. “I’m more of an all-court player now and my groundstrokes are definitely better.”

“Last year we played one of the flatest matches all year against them,” Merzbacher said. “It was a meet we could have won. This year my guys have more confidence in their abilities and they believe they are stronger and in better condition than their opponents.”

One thing the Huskies have is momentum. NIU is coming off one of the most succesful fall seasons in recent NIU tennis history. They captured three fall tournaments and one doubles only tournament where Erik Andersch and Greg O’Neil had the honors of knocking off the No. 1 doubles duo of the Big Ten’s Michigan State squad.

“We know we can compete with those (Big Ten) guys,” Merzbacher said. “We proved it in the fall.”

Once again the Huskies look to be going through a change in their line-up. Merzbacher has not determined the singles nor the doubles positions they would be playing. Although Andersch and O’Neil are certain locks for the No. 1 doubles position.

“I’m going to play the guys who have worked the hardest and are ready,” Merzbacher said.

Merzbacher can afford to take this stand because he has a balanced team. “I don’t think it’s going to matter where everybody plays,” he said.