The Huskies are going to Notre Dame—not to face the No. 1 ranked football team, but to face its struggling volleyball squad.

The NIU volleyball team is not having a great season themselves. But the team is determined to make this weekend the turning point of the season.

The Huskies travel to South Bend tonight for a 7 p.m. match and come back home to Chick Evans Field House Saturday to take on Drake University in another 7 p.m. match. Saturday’s match is also parent’s night for the Huskies.

After giving Indiana State last Tuesday’s match, the Huskie boss, Pete Waite, said NIU needs to be tougher during its matches.

“In any competitve sport, it’s important to stay tough whether you’re winning or losing,” Waite said. “If we’re winning a match, we have stay tough and run with (the lead) and never look back.”

The Huskies blew 8-0, 9-8, and 11-4 leads in the games they lost to the Sycamores. Now every match is critical for the Huskies.

The Fighting Irish volleyball team is not exactly the powerhouse it is in football, but NIU doesn’t seem to able to put anyone away for long. The team is determined to change this weekend.

“I feel positive about our team,” said senior Allie McAvoy. “We’re looking at this weekend to turn the season around for us. We’re going to start making changes for the better from now on. We’re going to refine our skills and start performing well.”

The Drake match is also special because NIU assistant coach Lori Sowatsky graduated from the university in 1980. This will be the the first time that Sowatsky will see her alma mater in action since her graduation.

“I’m excited about seeing them play, but I really don’t know any of the players,” said Sowatsky. “I played against their coach in college.”

The Bulldogs are also struggling with their first year coach Martie Larson. They have a 3-12 record and take on Illinois-Chicago Friday before coming to NIU.

“It is our Parents night and hopefully we’ll go after them as a team,” said Waite.