Heading into Saturday’s meet with Ball State, NIU gymnastics has only one thing on its mind: improvement.

No matter by how little or which area, the Huskies constantly look to improve their overall performances and scores, in addition to seeking consistency.

“They’re going to try and match their improvement in terms of their routine the week before,” said NIU coach Sam Morreale. “We definitely want to get back into the win column, especially going into a meet where we feel we can be more competitive.”

Morreale has also emphasized the mental aspect of the meet for practice more so than actual routine practicing.

NIU plans to run out the same starting lineup as it had in all previous meets, with one possible exception on bars.

In the Huskies last meet, sophomore Megan Melendez moved from an exhibition routine into the starting lineup on uneven parallel bars and did not disappoint, posting a solid 9.200 following a fall.

“I do foresee her being in the lineup this week,” Morreale said. “We’re trying to be competitive. In order to do that, we’re going to put the best six competitors out there.”

Ball State (1-3, 0-2 MAC) comes off of back to back losses to Kent State and Central Michigan. NIU (1-3, 0-1 MAC) also comes off back to back losses to New Hampshire and Western Michigan.

This meet will be the second to last home meet of the regular season for the Huskies, who are looking forward to the opportunity.

“I feel like it’s more exciting competing at home,” Melendez said. “You know the faces and the crowd; it’s your friends and family, so you want to impress everyone there.”