The NIU volleyball team will be hosting its final two home matches of the season, which will be the last for four of its players.

Before tonight’s match, the Huskies will honor their seniors Maria Benitez, Jody Hardwick, Irene Johnson and Katie Walsh for “Career Closet Night.”

NIU (14-12, 6-6) is playing Eastern Michigan (9-18, 3-9) tonight at 7 p.m. The Huskies are coming off of two tough losses to Western Michigan and Miami (Ohio).

“Both were very emotional matches,” said NIU head coach Ray Gooden. “In short term, it was pretty difficult, but we’re going to try our best to bounce back.”

Junior Meagan Schoenrock leads the NIU attack with 417 kills and 4.58 kills per set, which ranks her first in the Mid-American Conference and seventh in the nation.

Freshman Allison McGlaughlin follows up Schoenrock with 293 kills of her own.

McGlaughlin also leads the team with 30 serving aces and is second on the team with 208 digs. The Eagles have lost seven of their last eight matches but got the best of the Huskies in their match on Oct. 5.

“They have a good mix of young players and old players,” Gooden said. “They gave us one tough match at their place last time, and we definitely owe them our best volleyball when they come here.”

EMU is the worst MAC team in hitting percentage with .156, and Gooden is hoping to exploit it.

“If we take care of the ball on our side of the court, then that will put a lot of pressure on their side of the court,” Gooden said.

The Eagles standout player is outside hitter Victoria Randolph. She leads the team with 292 kills and 2.81 kills per set and is second with 23 serving aces and 294 digs.

NIU will then take on Central Michigan (17-8, 10-2) Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Chippewas are currently tied for first in the MAC West Division.

“Central is the best serving and blocking team in our conference,” Gooden said. “They play at a really high level, and they’re going to give us their best match.”

CMU leads the MAC in serving aces with 155 aces and 1.72 aces per set.

Gooden and the Huskies have a game plan to try and defend it.

“We know it’s going to be a big factor, so we’re going to have to do our best to attack smart and stay consistent,” Gooden said.

Middle blocker Whitney Evers is the Chippewas’ leader and guides the team’s offense with 2.97 kills per set and 0.33 aces per set.