Along with John McCain, the NIU volleyball team’s 2008 campaign might come down to its performance in Ohio.

“Every match is going to be important,” said NIU head coach Ray Gooden. “As we move through the season, every set of every match will have some significance.”

The Huskies (13-9, 5-3) begin their crucial weekend tonight at 6 p.m. against Ohio (13-6, 6-2). Tomorrow, NIU will finish the road trip at Kent State (13-8, 3-5) at 4 p.m.

One win would give the Huskies 14 wins, matching their total from last year.

“We’ve learned a lot from last year,” Gooden said. “It would mean a lot to us especially because we would have beaten one or two teams here on the road in conference.”

Outside hitter Meagan Schoenrock is the team and MAC leader in kills with 352 and 4.69 kills per set. She also ranks sixth in the country.

NIU owns the all-time series over the Bobcats 12-10, but they got the best of the Huskies in their last match-up in last year’s MAC Tournament.

Ohio enters the match on a five match-winning streak, three of which came on the road. The Bobcats are also very strong at home, going 4-1 so far this season.

“We know that we can compete against them, but last year was at a neutral site, and this year is at their home court,” Gooden said. “We know that they play incredibly hard and very consistent in

their home gym.”

Ohio is the top team in the MAC in blocking with 163 blocks and 2.36 blocks per set. However, Ohio ranks second to last in the conference in digs with 862 and 12.49 digs per set.

Outside hitter Ellen Herman ranks second behind Schoenrock in the conference with 273 kills and 4.33 kills per set.

Kent St. comes into the match having lost five out of its last six matches. However, the Golden Flashes are 4-3 at home on the year.

NIU dominates the all-time series against the Golden Flashes 20-6 but lost last year’s meeting.

“They have one of the most dynamic offenses in our conference,” Gooden said. “We have to do a good job of communicating with our blocking and defense but also put them under pressure so they can’t run as efficiently as they like.”

Golden Flash senior Ashley Feutz ranks sixth in the MAC in hitting percentage with .301, and kills with 269 kills and 3.49 kills per set.

Sophomore Lauren Jones is another standout, ranking ninth in the MAC in service aces with 24 and 0.31 aces per set. She also ranks right behind her teammate, Feutz, with 263 kills and 3.37 kills per set.