UPDATE 2/13: Due to concerns of extreme temperatures expected early Sunday, the final three games of the UNG Loyal Blue Classic have been cancelled, including the final two games for NSU against North Georgia and Wingate. Saturday's games will be played as originally scheduled.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Nova Southeastern University softball team (5-2) will finish the second leg of its 13-game road trip in the coming week, beginning with a doubleheader against No. 12 Alabama-Huntsville on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. and concluding with a doubleheader at Trevecca Nazarene at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16. In between doubleheader games, NSU will compete in the UNG Loyal Blue Classic in Dahlonega, Ga. against No. 9 North Georgia and No. 25 Wingate.
 
The slate of road games is one of the most challenging trips head coach Lesa Boneé has ever planned for her squad. NSU will play six straight games against nationally ranked top-25 opponents. After that, the Sharks will take on a Trevecca Nazarene team that already upset No. 5 Wayne State, 1-0, in its season-opener.
 
In preparation for the trip, NSU took on five solid teams at this past weekend's Eckerd Spring Invitational. There, the Sharks went 3-2 with wins over Harding (5-4), Young Harris (11-6) and Lindenwood (7-1). NSU exited with weekend with a 5-2 record and one of the most potent offenses in the South Region. After seven games, NSU ranks in the top two of the Sunshine State Conference in 13 offensive categories.
 
Individually, several Sharks have already stood out among the conference leaders. Lorena Spaulding (Sr., Pembroke Pines, Fla.) leads the league with 14 hits, Te Reo Powhiri Matautia (Jr., Auckland, New Zealand) leads with eight runs scored while Katrina Ammons (Jacksonville, Fla.) leads in both home runs (3) and RBI (8).
 
For the Sharks to come out of the next week with a handful of wins, NSU will need these players, along with the pitching staff, to be at their best. Below is information on the next four opponents.
 
No. 12 Alabama-Huntsville
The Chargers hosted their own tournament to start the season and left it with a 4-2 record. They took wins over Ferris State, Bellarmine and Maryville before being upset by Indianapolis and Southern Indiana, both by a score of 3-2. The Chargers finished the tournament with a showdown against nationally ranked North Georgia, winning 2-0. The Chargers finished last season ranked 12th after posting a 48-12 record en route to hosting the NCAA South 1 Regional and the NCAA South Super Regional.
 
No. 9 North Georgia
The Nighthawks also started the season at the UAH Charger Chillout and went 5-1. The Nighthawks steamrolled their first five opponents, winning by an average margin of over five runs while shutting out three teams. The Nighthawks had their undefeated run spoiled by the Chargers in a minor upset. Starting pitcher Courtney Poole earned four wins in three days and struck out 28 batters in 24 innings of work.
 
No. 25 Wingate
The 5-1 Bulldogs have had a strong start to their season, which began with road doubleheader sweeps of Armstrong State and Erskine. Belmont Abbey gave them their first blemish at home, 4-2, but Wingate rebounded by defeating them 14-10. The Bulldogs went 38-20 last season, finishing in third in the SAC while earning a second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.
 
Trevecca Nazarene
The Trojans are 2-2 and will play Lincoln Memorial twice before seeing the Sharks. They took down No. 5 Wayne State to open the season, scoring the game's only run in the eighth inning. Junior Jordan Griner scored the game-winning run on a fielder's choice. From there, the Trojans defeated Miles but took losses against Southern Arkansas and West Georgia.