The rivalry between the Michigan water polo team and Indiana is different than most.

"Because we're the only two Big Ten schools with varsity (water polo) teams, it's just kind of a given," said Michigan coach Amber Drury-Pinto about the rivalry. "Indiana is always going to be big, regardless of the year, the time or whose place it's at."

In its two prior matchups with the Hoosiers this season, Michigan defeated Indiana 10-9 on Jan. 27 in Ann Arbor and also took down the Hoosiers two weeks ago in Bloomington, 9-7 in overtime.

This weekend, Michigan returns to Bloomington looking to improve on its impressive 13-1 mark in the Southern Division of the Collegiate Water Polo Association.

Aside from taking on the Hoosiers, the Wolverines will also face Mercyhurst and Gannon on Saturday before squaring off against Grove City on Sunday. Of the three, Michigan has previously faced only Grove City, crushing them 19-3 on March 9.

The games this weekend will be significant for the Wolverines as they near post-season play.

"They're mostly important to getting seeded for our Southern Division Championships (starting on April 19)," Drury-Pinto said.

Michigan can clinch a No. 1 seed by winning all four games this weekend.

In its last outing prior to the Mar. 23 victory over Indiana, Michigan struggled on defense, giving up 17 goals to Princeton - the most goals it had allowed in its last 14 games. Coach Drury-Pinto said that her team has been working hard in practice to ensure that a similar defensive breakdown does not occur this weekend.

"We've been stressing (defense), hitting it hard in practice. We're really working on that," Drury-Pinto said.

She also pointed out that her team has been watching film clips of its defensive lapses to "make sure we don't make those mistakes again."

Freshman goalie Betsey Armstrong will also be a key for the Wolverines this weekend, as she has been in the past. Two weekends ago, she set a school record with 16 saves against Indiana.

"We need her playing well to anchor our defense, and we're hoping she'll be vocal this weekend and really direct everyone for us," Drury-Pinto said.

This weekend will be Michigan's last tournament before beginning postseason play.