Making strides has been the main goal for the Huskie volleyball team in the beginning, but now is the time to win.

The NIU team will take its 1-5 record into Peoria, Ill., to face the 4-11 Bradley Braves Tuesday for a 7 p.m. match. The series between the two schools is tied at three.

NIU coach Pete Waite said this is a match NIU should win if the team performs to its capability.

“Bradley is a team that if we play well, we have a good chance of coming out with a win,” said Waite.

The Huskies suffered a set back last week when they found out their tallest player, 6-3 freshman Kori Schauer from Belvidere Ill., needs to have knee surgery this week and will miss the rest of the season. She first hurt her knee in practice and again in the Western Invitational Tournament in California.

“Losing her will hurt our depth and height, but she’ll be back,” said Waite.

While one is injured, Waite is pleased with the performance of his first recruiting class: Wendy Mason, Amber Kimmel, and Andrea Baker.

“Two of them are starting and playing well, and I couldn’t be happier with the way they are progressing right now,” said Waite.

Waite is also happy with the way his team has established themselves.

“We have established our starting line-up and now we’re just improving and developing all the time.”

Waite is most happy with the progess of junior outside hitter Julie Kreiling. “After her shoulder surgery in the off season, she started off the season slowly, but now she’s at full strength and hitting the ball like she did last year, which will help our offense.”

Although the team’s record might not indicate it, the Huskies have come a long way since the beginning of the season.

“We have been working very hard in practice and we always go into every match looking to win.”

Following the matchup with the Braves of Bradley, the NIU Huskies will prepare for the Eastern Michigan/Ann Arbor News Classic. Teams featured in the tournament are Bowling Green, Villanova, Southern Illinois, Eastern Michigan and NIU.

The tournament begins on Friday (Sept. 22) and concludes on Saturday (Sept. 23).