The NIU volleyball team figured out the only way to respond to its longest losing streak of the season: by stringing together its longest winning streak.

After dropping four in a row in late September, the Huskies have won three straight, including big wins in the MAC on the road over Toledo and Ball State last weekend.

The Huskies weekend started off with a 3-1 win over Toledo, in which the Huskies rattled off three straight games after dropping the first to take the match 31-33, 30-28, 30-22 and 30-27.

Senior Laura Baetzel returned to action after missing time with an injury to record eight kills for NIU.

Sophomore Meagan Schoenrock led the Huskies offensive attack with 17 kills, followed by junior Irene Johnson, who had 14 kills to go along with 12 digs.

“Irene is continuing to do some pretty good things for us,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “She is scoring the ball and playing good defense. She is able to find ways to score when we need it.”

Freshmen Maddie Hughes’ defense made a big impact when the libero went for 26 of the team’s 83 digs.

Against Ball State, the Huskies were down 0-2 before they came out of break with an emphatic win in Game 3. The win helped spark the team, which went on to take the give-game match 27-30, 23-30, 30-18, 30-26 and 15-9.

“The girls were determined [after being down 2-0,]” said Gooden. “They didn’t want to lose. They came out on fire and did it.”

Johnson continued her strong play by recording another double-double. She joined Schoenrock to lead the team with 16 kills while collecting 12 digs.

Baetzel also reached double-digits, going for 12 kills.

This is NIU’s second consecutive win when playing in Muncie, Ind.

The first – last year – was the Huskies’ first ever win at Ball State.

“It was a historic event for us to get back-to-back wins at Worthen Arena,” Gooden said. “Ball State plays so well at home and we were excited to battle them and play some good volleyball.”