Men’s tennis is ready to take on its second conference opponent of the season Saturday against Ball State (8-8, 0-1 MAC).

The game is scheduled to be played at the Boylan Tennis Center in Rockford. If weather permits, it may be played on the outdoor tennis courts at NIU.

The Huskies (14-5, 1-0 MAC) come into this match having won three straight, including last week’s matchup against conference rival Western Michigan.

“We want to do the same thing we did against Western Michigan,” said head coach Patrick Fisher. “I want to start off quick in doubles and get the point and then don’t let up. Never let them into the game.”

Ball State comes into the game having lost its most recent match against MAC opponent Toledo. It dropped that one 3-4 in a tightly contested affair. Ball State has lost three of its last four games.

The Cardinals hold the second-most MAC Championships with 17. Their last championship came in 2011, when they knocked the Huskies out in the first round of the MAC Tournament.

In singles matches, Dor Amir will look to regain momentum against Ball State’s Ray Leonard after losing last week in the No. 1. Leonard is 6-7 in the No. 1 and coming off a loss of his own.

NIU’s biggest challenge may come in the No. 2 against the Cardinals’ Patrick Elliott. Elliott is 7-4 in that position and will go against NIU’s Frederic Cadieux. Elliott will have his hands full trying to take down Cadieux, who is 7-0 in the No. 2 on the season.

In doubles, Amir and Axel Lagerlof will try to continue their exceptional play in the No. 1. Going 15-2 on the season, they will play against Leonard and Austin Smith, who are 3-5 in that position.