Last weekend, the NIU volleyball team proved it’s capable of winning.

This weekend, the Huskies attempt to string together their first winning streak since they won back-to-back matches in early September.

The Huskies open the weekend on the road with a match against a hungry Toledo team that has lost six consecutive matches and is still looking for its first conference win. The match time is set for 6 p.m.

The Rockets are sitting at 6-10 right now, including 0-4 in the MAC. With its win last week, NIU improved to 6-11 overall and 1-3 in the MAC.

“Picking up the win last weekend was nice,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “Now, it’s a matter of challenging ourselves to play.”

Toledo is led by senior outside-hitter TaNeisha Winters, who averages 3.41 kills per game.

On Saturday, NIU will travel to Muncie, Ind., to take on Ball State at 6 p.m.

While Ball State may have struggled earlier in the season, it has won its last two conference matches to pull to an even 2-2 in the MAC, but just 3-13 overall.

“Right now, Ball State is the hottest team in the MAC, having won two conference games in a row,” Gooden said.

The Huskies made history last year by beating Ball State on its home court for the first time in NIU history.

With only four combined seniors playing in this season’s game, both teams have changed a lot.

The Cardinals’ offense is run through setter Angie Parrell, who averages 9.31 assists each game.

Perhaps the Cardinals’ biggest weapon is their libero Alyssa Rio.

As a freshman, Rio is leading the MAC with 6.10 digs per game.

“They have a very good libero that will make us work for our points,” Gooden said. “Right now, it’s about getting more consistency and gaining a better understanding of our roles.”

NIU’s Laura Baetzel missed the Huskies’ last match and is listed as day-to-day with an upper body injury.