Both the NIU women’s volleyball and soccer teams are nearing the end of their seasons and both have hopes of going far in the MAC Tournament. The volleyball team is currently third in the West

Division and the soccer team is third in the conference.

November is approaching and the thought of an early knockout still looms in the minds of the two teams from recent years. The Northern Star’s Mike Buda and Derrick Smith sat down to discuss which team will fair better in their respective tournament?

Mike Buda: The volleyball team has lost in the quarterfinals the last five seasons, so they should be due for a great tourney run. They’re just one win away from last season’s total and they will be out to show how good they are this weekend in Ohio. It’s a very key swing state.

Derrick Smith: Well the women’s soccer team is on a role now. They are 8-3-5 overall, with a 4-2-2 record in the MAC. Not to mention the fact that they have not lost a match in the last five games. With two home meets this weekend, they have a great opportunity to put themselves in good position come tournament time.

MB: Another reason why the volleyball team will go further is that they have the star power. Meagan Schoenrock is the Huskies’ standout player, leading the MAC in kills per set and also ranks in the top 10 in the country in the same category. Every team needs a Michael Jordan, and she will be sticking her tongue out the entire way.

DS: Yes, every good team has a Jordan, but the combination of a Jordan and Pippen truly seals the deal. Thea Johnson and Becca Ford both lead the Huskies with four goals. Johnson also adds six assists to her stats, which is tied for second in the MAC. Jordan is probably best known for his ability to perform well in the clutch, and Johnson’s three game-winning goals is definitely something worth noting.

MB: Along with stars, a team also needs to be healthy and very deep, and that’s exactly what the volleyball team is. With the exception of one injury to Amanda Tadla, which she looks close to fully recovered, NIU is in good shape. Every team needs a supporting cast and that’s the case when you look at the Huskies’ bench. Maria Benitez, Jody Hardwick and Monica Lang always give NIU an extra jolt when they are inserted into the match.

DS: This year’s team is extremely deep. Eleven Huskies have found the back of the net, which is already two more than in 2007. With five of them netting their first career goals, two of which are freshmen, it’s almost expected that someone else steps up big for the team.

But with all this talk of offense, I’d be nuts to forego mentioning the Huskie defense. NIU has allowed 13 goals this season with a goals against average of .75, both of which are third lowest in the league. Goalkeeper Lindsey Curnock has logged nearly 1,500 minutes in the net this season, recording eight shutouts and 66 saves, both of which rank among the top five in the MAC.

MB: Forget all of what has happened in the past. This team is focused and they know what they’re capable of. By season’s end and the tournament’s end, the NIU volleyball team could be looking in the mirror as champions and looking at a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

DS: Well, looking back into the past actually injects extra fuel into this squad. Toledo has bumped NIU from the MAC Tournament the last two years and the Huskies have not beaten the Rockets since 2003. Not one player has tasted victory over UT and they cannot help but to look forward to the possible revenge looming in the near future, which would make taking the MAC crown that much sweeter.