Northeastern vs. Connecticut
The Northeastern volleyball team opens the UConn Invitational Friday night against host Connecticut. NU leads the all-time series with UConn, 20-12. The tournament opener marks the sixth meeting between NU and UConn since Northeastern joined the Colonial Athletic Association in 2005. The Huskies have swept UConn in the last two meetings, not giving up a set since Connecticut defeated Northeastern in 2009, 3-2.

Northeastern vs. Pittsburgh
The Huskies and Panthers have met on the court twice prior to the UConn Invite, both in tournament play. The first contest versus the ACC member came during day two of the Pittsburgh Invitational in 2003 when the Huskies participated in America East. The Panthers defeated the Huskies in a 3-0 sweep. NU's last outing versus Pitt was part of the Rhode Island Tournament on Sept. 2, 2006. Pittsburgh walked away with a 3-0 victory.

Northeastern vs. Albany
NU faces old America East rival Albany, marking the ninth meeting between Huskies and Great Danes. Northeastern has not faced UAlbany since Sept.14, 2007, when Albany defeated NU in a 3-0 sweep. The first contest between the teams came when the Great Danes joined the America East conference in 2001 when Northeastern came away with a 3-0 triumph. The Huskies own the upper hand with a 6-3 mark.

Scouting the (other) Huskies
Connecticut made its final run of the Big East during the 2012 season and walked away with a 19-12 overall record. Now a member of the American Athletic Conference, the Huskies stand 2-2 after a home-opening sweep against Hartford. UConn kicked off its season in Fort Wayne, Ind., where it participated in the IPWF Invitational, dropping its season opener to Southern Illinois in a five-set dual. The Huskies recovered and started day two with a sweep against Duquesne but fell to host IPFW, 3-1, to close the tournament. This season, Connecticut has held its opponents to a .176 kill percentage while recording a team percentage of .215. Junior outside hitter Karson Ratliff leads the team's attack with 41 kills and has also contributed 10 total blocks. Libero Brianna Datti anchors the defense with 59 digs, averaging 3.93 digs per game. The Huskies returned 10 letterwinners and welcomed five freshmen to their 2013 squad.

Scouting the Panthers
ACC newcomer Pittsburgh enters the UConn Invitational with a 2-2 record after breaking even at the Mizzou Tiger Classic. Under new head coach Dan Fisher, the Panthers opened their season Columbia, Mo., with a sweep over Arkansas State and a 3-1 loss to host Missouri. Pitt started day two of the tournament strong with a 3-1 triumph against South Dakota, but evened up its record after Idaho State ran away with the sweep. Delaney Clesen was named to the All-Tournament Team after leading Pitt with 57 digs on the weekend. Jessica Wynn and Kate Yeazel lead the team's attack with 47 and 41 kills, respectively. Middle blockers Jessica Boddy and Jenna Potts have recorded 13 blocks apiece, making up half of the teams total blocks.

Scouting the Great Danes
Albany returns to the Northeast for the UConn Invitational and looks to rebound after a two-day stint in Los Angeles. The Great Danes had a rough season opening, going winless against UCLA, Loyola Marymount and North Texas at the Los Angeles Westside. Despite the 0-3 start, Amanda Dolan was named to the All-Tournament Team after finishing with 17 kills and six blocks. The 6'3 middle blocker and her counterpart Tatum Jungsten have combined forces to make up 51 percent of the Great Danes' total kills. Defensively, Viktoriia Strollo has carried the load with 47 digs while Dolan denied opponents with a team-high eight blocks.

Chart Toppers
Libero Natalia Skiba leads the CAA in digs after week one of competition. The junior has recorded 101 digs so far this season and leads by an overwhelming total of 34 digs. Kelly Bacon ranks second in the CAA for total kills, accumulating 52 thus far. Middle blocker Nichole Kurz is tied for first with 18 total blocks and falls sixth on the CAA top performer chart with her impressive .296 hitting percentage. Setter Ina Kamenova ranks fourth for total assists, tallying 102 in her first four starts. 

Fantastic Four
The Huskies have had four different kill leaders in each of their outings this season. Janelle Tucker started off the season against Missouri State with a match-high 16 kills, two short of tying a career high. Kelly Bacon led the team's attack versus Dayton, registering 12 kills from the outside. Newcomer Jamie Bredahl and middle blocker Nichole Kurz accumulated 14 swats each in the contests against Tulsa and UNH, respectively.

Countdown to 300
Ken Nichols is in his 14th season at the helm of the NU volleyball program. During that time, Nichols has amassed a 242-155 and a 134-54 mark in conference play. Prior to NU, Nichols coached at Providence College. In all, Nichols is five victories shy of the 300-win mark for his collegiate career. He has posted a 295-195 (.602) mark along the way.