Getting off to a quick start is very important for the NIU volleyball team as it heads south to Eastern Illinois University tonight for the Coors/Coors Light Classic Tournament.

The Huskies will face a fired-up host team tonight at 7 p.m. NIU defated EIU in three straight games 15-7, 15-13, 15-13, last year, but coach Pete Waite expects a tough match.

“There’s going to be real tough competition at Eastern and since it is their home court and season opener, they’re going to be fired up,” said Waite.

Saturday NIU will face Indiana State at noon and Miami (Ohio) at 3 p.m. Getting off to a good start is important for the inexperienced Huskies, who lost three starters from last year’s North Star Conference championship team.

“It is very important for us to get off to a quick start.” Waite said. “We lost three key players and it’s important for us to establish ourselves.”

In order for a good start, NIU needs to establish thier 5-1 offense, which will rely heavily on freshman setter Amber Kimmel from Shelbyville, Ill..

The setter is the quarterback of a volleyball team. She needs to know where her hitters are and direct them to the ball. Amber has made great improvements in practice and she’ll do a good job,” said Waite.

NIU has a wide variety of experience and a large freshman class, who Waite says will see a lot of court time.

“We’re probably going to start two or three freshmen this year,” Waite said. “We have good depth and competition for starting jobs”.

After finishing the EIU tournament, NIU will face national powerhouse University of Illinois at Glenbard South High School on Sunday at 7 p.m. U of I has been to the final four each of thier last two seasons.

“There is no pressure on us,” Waite insisted. “Obviously U of I is a great team and playing them will raise our level of play.”

NIU will play five matches in five days. Waite said that this is an advantage for them since it will allow all the players a chance to mature before the NSC season starts.