The NIU men’s tennis team heads to Kalamazoo, MIch. for the Western MIchigan Invitational this weekend.

After a less-than-desirable performance at the Ball State Invitational, the NIU men’s tennis team travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., this weekend to take part in the Western Michigan Invitational

The Huskies will be participating in the tournament for the first time. Also competing in the draw will be DePaul and Indiana State.

Coach Steven Rodecap feels his team’s consistency is what needs the most work after one weekend of play.

“It’s not so much results as we need to pick up our level of play,” Rodecap said. “We have too many loose games and loose sets.”

The Huskies did have some bright spots at Ball State, as freshman Paul Glendenning won the back draw of the C flight.

The doubles team of freshman Erick Martinez and senior Jon Perlman advanced to the semifinals of the B flight.

After what he felt was a lackluster weekend, Rodecap was pleased with how his team returned to the court Tuesday after an off-day Monday.

“Tuesday we had a very good practice,” Rodecap said. “The energy level made it conducive for us to improve. That’s what we need.

“Practice is where it starts. When guys can concentrate for two, two-and-half hours at a time, it’s a lot easier to focus in a match. Getting more matches under our belt will help, too.”

Rodecap hopes the Huskies will have a higher level of consistency in those matches.

“We seem to take a hiatus for a point here and there,” he said. “The best way to put it is we have too many highs and lows. We need to be more stable as a team.”