The latest heat wave isn’t just outdoors; it’s in Chick Evans Field House, where the NIU volleyball team is warming up for the Huskie Invitational Tournament. The tournament, which begins play Friday, isn’t an ordinary, run-of-the-mill contest for the Huskies.

But then again, this isn’t an ordinary, run-of-the-mill team.

The youthful Huskies have gained a lot of attention after jumping to a 7-1 record in the first two weeks, the best NIU season start since 1973. The Huskies must now put that record on the line, and have unofficially been dubbed “the team to beat” in the Huskie Invite.

But the talented spikers and head volleyball Coach Pete Waite aren’t letting the attention get to them.

“There really isn’t any increased pressure,” Waite said. “We’re just taking one match at a time.”

That amount of composure isn’t usually expected from a group as young as the Huskies. First-year players lead all NIU statistical columns for the group, with setter Shauna Campbell heading the list in both assists (11.67 pg) and service aces (.67 pg). Kori Schaur continues to dominate the offense with 3.57 kills per game, and the defense is lead by Nikki Kozak, who picked up 3.46 digs per game. Her efforts are strengthened further by Amy Foulke who averaged 1.42 blocks per game.

The Huskies might have their hands full against some very strong teams in the tournament. Friday, NIU faces Kent State (5-3), and will meet Southern Illinois (3-5) and University of Illinois-Chicago (2-4) in the remainder of the tournament tomorrow.

“Illinois Chicago won our conference last year, so they are expected to do well,” Waite said. “Southern Illinois also won their conference (Gateway), so I’m sure they’ll be strong also.”

In fact,the Salukis will be returning with Dana Olden, the ‘89 Gateway conference Newcomer of the Year and an All Tournament pick in both the Ball State and Saluki Invitaionals. The 5-10 sophomore leads SIU with 110 kills this season, and looks to be the Salukis’ strongest asset.

SIU and Illinois Chicago open tourney action Friday at 4:30 p.m., followed by NIU vs. Kansas State match at 7 p.m. Saturday play starts early with SIU and Kent State at 9 a.m. NIU vs.Illinois Chicago (noon), Kent State vs.Illinois Chicago (4 p.m.) and NIU-SIU (7 p.m.) round out the tournament schedule.