The Bowling Green tennis team could play their first home outdoor match of the season today. If the weather cooperates.

The Falcons host Western Michigan today and Northern Illinois tomorrow, with both matches slated for 1 p.m. at BGSU’s Keefe Courts. The matches will be moved to the Shadow Valley Tennis Club in Maumee if needed.

Bowling Green will play without their top singles player, Susie Schoenberger, who is Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival. Schoenberger also plays at No. 1 doubles for the Falcons.

Despite Schoenberger’s absence, the Falcons (9-7, 3-1) will try to hold their own against a tough Western Michigan squad. The Broncos (10-7, 3-0) are currently on a five-match winning streak.

“We’re pumped for this weekend,” BG coach Penny Dean said. “It’s going to be rough because Susie Schoenberger’s gone and Gaby’s [Coello] still out so everybody has to move up two spots, but I think we’re welcoming that challenge.”

Despite the fact that the players have to move up one or two spots, Dean thinks her team can handle the challenge.

“People have to move up a spot in singles, but really, they can still play at those spots,” Dean said. “And then with doubles I wanted to do the least amount of switching as possible so Jessica Johnson will step up and play at No. 1 with Lisa [Maloney].”

Bowling Green’s balanced lineup will have to face a Northern Illinois lineup strong from top to bottom.

“[Northern] always respects us and gets a little bit scared about us because we’re so athletic,” Dean said. “Their coach knows that we’re willing to stay out there a long time and play long points.”

The Falcons will be ready to play long points after a week of practice that focused on playing actual games instead of doing drills. Dean said the players wanted that after last weekend’s matches against Eastern Michigan and Toledo.