The time has come. Time to prove that the turmoil the volleyball team endured throughout the past few months hasn’t hurt its chances of repeating as Mid-American Conference Champions.

Friday night marks the season opener for the Huskies as they take on IUPUI at 7 p.m. at the Convocation Center’s Auxiliary Gym. NIU will host the Best Western DeKalb Inn and Suites Invitational this weekend which includes Fridays’ match as well as a match against Drake (2 p.m.) and Indiana University (7 p.m.) on Saturday.

“It’s extremely exciting for us to open the arena,” junior Melissa Benson said. “It’s definitely a new look for a lot of people. We’re going to start off fresh and look to take it all the way.”

A lineup is not set, according to NIU coach Ray Gooden, but he looks to see a lot of playing time for returning players Jen VonderHaar, Rena Widboom, Tenisha Wilkins and Brooke Dodson.

Last year’s MAC Freshman of the Year Tera Lobdell may have to wait a few days before she can showcase the stellar play that attributed to her receiving the award a year ago. She may be forced to sit out this weekend’s tournament as she is day-to-day with a sprained left knee.

Gooden is looking at this weekend’s tournament as a benchmark of where his Huskies are and how they’ll need to improve.

“I think we’re working hard on playing with a lot of effort and a good, strong attitude,” Gooden said. “Chemistry is beginning, but it’s tough with so many new people. All three matches will be a test for us to see where we are early in the year.”

Exactly nine months after their NCAA first round loss to Northern Iowa, the Huskies will take the floor ready to see what the future has in store.

“We need to build up confidence this weekend,” Benson said. “We have the talent to go amazing places.”