Looking at Chicago State University’s record, it’s hard for NIU volleyball fans not to feel a sense of deja vu.

Not only does CSU have a similarly infamous record to a DePaul team that gave the Huskies more than they could handle, but the two schools are a mere 13 miles apart from each other.

NIU, however, will attempt to end the comparisons there when the Huskies (5-7) travel to Chicago to take on the Cougars (1-11) tonight at 7 p.m.

In CSU’s 11 losses, it has been swept nine times.

NIU has had its struggles as well, after dropping back-to-back matches to San Diego State and UIC.

“We have to go out there and play good,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “We need to get our confidence level up and play team volleyball. We can’t put ourselves under unnecessary pressure.”

According to Gooden, the mistake teams make when playing the Cougars is taking them lightly and getting off to a slow start as a result.

By starting out strong, NIU can take away the pressure and get back to playing volleyball.

“(CSU) plays emotional,” Gooden said. “They usually start out strong and we can’t let them do that.”

Leading the way for the Cougars are seniors Jennifer Van Kempen and Christine Eberhardt, who Gooden is already familiar with.

“She used to play back in Evanston,” Gooden said. “She comes from a big volleyball family and I’m happy to see her playing division one volleyball.”

Eberhardt is averaging 2.27 kills per game, while Van Kempen is leading the team with 2.36.

With the Cougars defense giving up almost 16 kills a game at a .249 clip, NIU outside hitters Dani D’Ambrose and Laura Baetzel should have plenty of opportunities.

D’Ambrose is averaging 4.5 kills per game, while Baetzel is at 3.61.