Coming into this season, NIU women’s tennis had only one direction it could go, and that direction was up.

Throughout a dismal 2-17 2010-11 campaign, NIU coach Ryun Ferrell stayed positive and reiterated that the team was building for success in the future.

The future is now for NIU, as it has reached the 10-win plateau for the first time in Ferrell’s five year tenure.

The Huskies (10-8, 1-3 MAC) look to make an impact down the stretch before the MAC Tournament begins and will face conference foes Miami (Ohio) and Ball State Friday and Saturday.

“We feel pretty good,” Ferrell said. “Miami is kind of the cream of the crop of the league right now. I would say Ball State is our biggest rival in the league. It will be an interesting weekend.”

The Huskies will have their hands full against Miami (11-9, 6-0 MAC). Not only has Miami dominated its conference counterparts, but the RedHawks have been flawless at home this season, going 5-0.

After what is sure to be a grueling match Friday, NIU will square up the next day against rival Ball State (5-13, 0-6 MAC).

Ball State has had its fair share of struggles this season. Riding a season-high eight-match losing streak, the Cardinals are looking to reverse their fortune against NIU. The Huskies are the only team Ball State beat in last season’s conference action. The last conference match that Ball State won against a team other than NIU was March 29, 2008, against Akron.

In order for the Huskies to keep Ball State from nabbing its first conference victory, they need to get out to a strong start and win the doubles point.

“So far this season, when we win the doubles point, we are undefeated; when we’ve lost it, we’re totally defeated,” Ferrell said. “We’ve lost eight straight times when we drop it so it’s huge. We need to get that point. It’s very, very important.”