For the first time in while, the NIU volleyball had some “me” time this week.

While the Huskies usually spend practices focusing on their upcoming opponents, a five-day break between games has given them a chance to get back to their roots while still allowing time to prepare for Friday’s match against Central Michigan University.

“We’re trying to get a good week of training in,” said Ray Gooden, women’s volleyball head coach. “We need to get a higher level of execution. Right now we can focus on everything, not just the next match.”

The break comes at a good time as the Huskies have a pair of key matches this weekend. First with CMU on Friday, and then Saturday against Eastern Michigan University.

All season, NIU has been striving for a spread offense where the damage comes from many players, not just one or two. Fortunately for the Huskies, they have had six different members reach double-digit kills, however, they have only had three or more in the same match three times.

“Everyone has had high times and then times of maybe being in a bit of a slump,” Gooden said. “We need to solidify some things and start getting four people in double digits. That’s the goal.”

It’s no surprise that the one time the Huskies have had four members reach that mark they won. In that Sept. 1 game against Butler, senior Laura Baetzel and sophomore Meagan Schoenrock each had 20 kills, while junior Irene Johnson went for 12, and Sophomore Cassie Yates added 10.