The NIU volleyball team is itching for some wins. The Huskies first stop on their victory quest is this weekend at Villanova University.

NIU hopes to pull in a few of those victories at the Villanova University Tournament where they will meet Villanova, Fordham University, Rider College, and Northeastern University. The Huskies have seen very little playing time, if any, against their opponents and have little idea of what to expect.

From the looks of the pre-tournament records, it’s probably safe for NIU to expect a little less from the tournament teams than their more recent matchups. Northeastern posts a 0-10 season record and Fordham and Rider, both of whom have never played NIU, are 3-5 and 3-3 so far this season.

But host Villanova will probably be the Huskies’ biggest challenge with a 6-4 record racked up so far this season. The Huskies, who meet Villanova in the last match of the tournament, will be out to improve their own 8-4 record.

“Playing in the Villanova Tournament is a good chance for us to gain playing and recruiting visibility in the eastern part of the country,” NIU head volleyball coach Pete Waite said.