Volleyball still has a chance at the No. 1 seed in the MAC Tournament, but it has to take care of Western Michigan and Bowling Green this weekend.

The Huskies (18-11, 11-1, MAC) take on the Western Michigan Broncos (16-11, 7-5 MAC) 6 p.m. today in Kalamazoo, Mich. The Huskies then host the Bowling Green Falcons (7-17, 4-8 MAC) 7 p.m. Saturday at Victor E. Court.

“We always say Western is a lot like playing ourselves,” said sophomore outside hitter Mary Grace Kelly. “So, we always just try and focus on our side like every other game, but really clean up our skills, and come out with the same game plan as last time. So, that will be the key to success.”

Western Michigan

The Broncos have grown into one of NIU’s biggest rivals, though the Huskies have had the upper hand recently, winning six of the last nine regular season matches.

“Western has always been one of our toughest matches,” said head coach Ray Gooden. “I think we’ve had a good history of significant battles against each other. … With the exception of, I think, one team, everyone is fighting for something.

“They’re fighting like we are: to win the West for the highest seed possible, and they are also fighting to defend their home court, and we’re fighting to finish our [road] swing on a really positive note. They’re physical, and we know that, so we’re going to have to do a good job of staying stable against those guys.”

NIU will have to slow down the high-powered WMU offense conducted by senior setter Lexie Pawlik, whose 1,190 assists through 107 sets not only leads the MAC but is No. 1 in all of Division I.

The ball movement led by Pawlik has allowed the Broncos to have five players reach 150 or more kills on the season, including a team-high 315 from sophomore outside hitter Alysia Baznik.

“I think it’s going to be a really good game,” said sophomore middle blocker Jenna Radtke. “I think they are very similar to how we play, so if we stay composed and just play our side and stay calm I think we’ll be fine.”

Bowling Green

NIU will finally be able to perform in front of its home crowd after a five-game road trip when it hosts the Falcons (7-17, 4-8 MAC).

“We’re excited to end that away MAC series until the MAC Tournament,” Radtke said. “Being back at home for the rest of the three games is going to be fun. [We’ll] have a really big crowd.”

The Falcons are a team NIU hasn’t seen since a 3-0 loss Sept. 28, 2013. The Falcons have relied on their youth this season with the roster containing only two seniors and the rest of the squad being underclassmen.

Freshman outside hitter Nicole Slimko has made the most of her freshman year, leading the team in kills (299), kills per set (3.32) and digs (157).

“They’re a team that’s fighting for their playoff lives, but … they’re two years removed from winning a championship,” Gooden said. “So, they know how to win. Things are coming together for them right now, and it’s coming together for them at the best time, which is the end of the season.”