The Huskie women’s gymnastics team will have to dig deep tonight as they take on two outstanding rivals in a triangular meet.

Ann Arbor, Mich., is the Valentine’s Day destination, where NIU will battle the University of Michigan and Louisiana State University at 7 p.m. And without the services of sophomore Nickie Pedicini, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last Tuesday, the Huskies will have to rely on a lot of heart and soul.

“She’s really going to be missed,” head coach Bobbie Cesarek said, “but this is something that had to be done—and not only from a gymnastics standpoint.

“I’m hoping to count on Sandy Escobar to take her place, plus get everyone to pull together some terrific scores. What is exciting about this meet is the fact we’re meeting some outstanding competition.”

LSU is ranked 22nd nationally with an average meet score of 185.63, while the Huskies come in at number 25, averaging 185.32.

The 5-0 Wolverines are not without talent either. Michigan’s all-arounder, Beth Wymer is rated eighth regionally with a 38.67 average.

The Lady Tigers and NIU will be fighting for placement in the Central Region where the Huskies currently stand in sixth place overall. But, their 47.27 average on floor exercise gives them a third-place honor in that event regionally and 14th nationally.

This is a little more difficult of a meet than we’ve had lately,” Cesarek said. “We haven’t met Michigan or LSU in dual meets so it’s going to be nice to see how we measure up.”