As far as the North Star Conference is concerned, the NIU women’s tennis team is in a class by itself.

The 10-6 Huskies are led by a strong trio of Sara Murfey (No. 1), Hild Andersch (No. 2) and Jami Cheek (No. 3).

“Sara, Hild and Jami are very reliable players at the top,” No. 6 player Breda Dean said. “But we also have very good depth, which is what a lot of teams lack.”

So far, North Star opponents have been lacking the punch to dethrone the defending conference champions. NIU cruised by conference foe Valparaiso 9-0 in its last match.

Today, Illinois-Chicago will take a shot at the confident Huskies at the West Campus Courts starting at 1 p.m.

Unfortunately for Illinois-Chicago, the Huskies don’t believe they’ve reached their potential.

“We’re just beginning to get used to each other in doubles,” said Dean, a sophomore transfer.

Dean, a 6-0, 6-0 winner against Valparaiso, said her singles game is coming around as well.

“My concentration, mental game has been my main problem,” she

aid. “But (head coach) Patty (Groth) has been working with me, and I just have to concentrate and focus a lot harder.”

Dean said she has had problems focusing during some phases of the match, “it’s like I’m a totally different player sometimes.”

The Huskies main threat in the conference is considered to be Akron, “but we can’t take any matches lightly,” Dean said, “but I think we can play with confidence.”