They also will take on No. 4 Hawaii (3-0) and No. 10 USC (3-0) during the weekend. MSU is on a nonconference match winning streak with 25 consecutive wins going back to the 2008 season, and the Spartans are looking to continue the streak this weekend.

“I’m sure that (Hawaii) will be a major threat for us,” head coach Cathy George said. “You’re looking at New Mexico and USC both being very challenging teams as well, so it’s just a grueling weekend to play in.”

Although all three opponents are competitive and will provide a challenge for the Spartans, George said her team is anticipating the match against the Rainbow Wahine.

Hawaii is known for drawing large crowds of knowledgeable, volleyball-loving fans.

Hawaii generally expects as many as 7,000 fans, and that excited fan energy creates a unique atmosphere in which the Spartans will play.

Junior outside hitter Becca Zlabis said that because of the unusual crowd size, the team has to hold a strong focus and maintain its composure while playing in front of a sizeable crowd.

In addition to the fans, Hawaii has a strong offense with many returning players from last season’s NCAA Final Four team. The Spartans will have to step up their level of play in this match.

“They have a really, really fast offense, and we also know that they have tough serving, so … we’re going to really have to focus on first ball contact,” Zlabis said.

George said that although she is proud of her team’s improvements from last season and its performance in its opening weekend, she still knows that there is room for improvement in the team’s play.

Specifically, George pointed out the Spartans’ blocking needs to be cleaned up, their positioning needs to improve to cover the necessary areas on the court and they’ll have to adjust their game accordingly with their opponents’ offensive systems that might be more foreign.

“We have improved our game since last season, but Hawaii, USC and New Mexico are (matches) where we’ll have to fix some things quickly,” George said. “They’re definitely going to exploit some weaknesses if we don’t clean out some things from last week.”

Because playing challenging teams provides a chance for improvement, junior setter Natalie Emro said playing West Coast teams is a great opportunity for the Spartans to play up to higher levels and advance their game.

“(We’ll) try focusing on the teams this weekend. We’re really trying to come together and regroup from last weekend,” Emro said. “The competition was definitely a lot easier last weekend, so we’ll have to just refocus.”

Last season, MSU took down USC in the MSU Showcase, winning 3-2 and giving the Spartans their first win against the Trojans.

MSU has not faced Hawaii since 1995, when they defeated the Rainbow Wahine 3-2, and it has been 20 years since it met with New Mexico when the Lobos dominated and won 3-0.

The Spartans begin with New Mexico tonight at 8 p.m. and will continue Saturday with Hawaii at 1 a.m. and USC at 11 p.m.