NIU’s women’s tennis team will be facing adversity and stiff competition this weekend when it takes on Iowa and Nebraska.

“We’re hurting right now,” said NIU coach Patty Groth-Newbrough. “We’re down to six, maybe even five girls.”

The Huskies travel to Iowa on Friday to face the Hawkeyes, then face Nebraska Saturday at a neutral site.

Among the problems Groth-Newbrough’s squad has had include a car accident, which has sidelined a player for the year, and one recruit not coming back to school.

A third player, Ivana Nikolic, might not be eligible this weekend because she is having problems getting transcripts from her native Yugoslavia.

“It has taken over a month for (Nikolic’s) documents to get here because of the war,” Groth-Newbrough said.

Still Groth-Newbrough is optimistic. “There’s a very slight possibility to pull (victory) off with only five girls,” she said. “I just hope Ivana can go with us.”

Groth-Newbrough said the team is bearing up well under the adversity. “They all have pulled together really well,” she said.

If Nikolic does make the trip, Groth-Newbrough believes NIU has a good chance against both schools.

Two players the coach will be counting on are No. 1 singles player Jenny Karges and No. 2 player Sarah Murfey. Neither will have it easy, especially Karges. She will be playing Iowa’s Laura Dvorak who was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year with a 27-9 record last year.

Two years ago, NIU played against Nebraska and was defeated six matches to three, Groth-Newbrough said. NIU has not played Iowa in a few years but has competed against them in tournaments, usually breaking even, she said.