With only two North Star Conference matches remaining, the NIU volleyball team is hungrier than ever to make those matches triumphant.

But the University of Illinois-Chicago would like to take itself off the menu and dish up a win of its own against NIU Thursday.

The Flames play host to NIU in a match that has come to mean more than just winning or losing. Both teams (2-2) have had an unexpected amount of woes within the NSC—splitting four conference matches.

NIU (15-5, 2-2) had no problem with its first two league matches when it beat the University of Akron and Cleveland State University in three games but the Huskies were recently upset by Wright State and Valparaiso University last weekend.

UIC (10-10, 2-2) defeated Cleveland State and Wright State but lost to Akron and like NIU, were unexpectedly taken by Valpo—who stands undefeated in conference play.

“We were very surprised by the loss to Valparaiso especially since they beat us at home,” said UIC head coach Don August. “They have a tough team this year. Our other loss to Akron was one we weren’t surprised by. When we played Akron we played real hard but just not real well.”

August, who has been with the Flames for ten seasons now, feels a home court advantage will play a big role for his team against the Huskies.

“It’s going to be a hard, good performance,” August said. “But I’m glad we’re playing here and not at Northern. It’s loud, it’s noisy and difficult for our players to face a strong team like that at their place. I never look forward to playing there so it’s fortunate we play at home this time.”