DeKALB | The NIU volleyball team will get a head check this weekend when it faces a pair of tough road matches against Kent State on Friday at 6 p.m. and Ohio on Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

NIU (14-6 overall, 7-1 MAC) is riding a four-match win streak. But each of its upcoming opponents know a thing or two about winning streaks

Kent State (12-8, 5-3) won four of its last five matches. As if that wasn’t enough for the Huskies, Ohio is undefeated in the MAC so far (16-3, 8-0) and has won its last 40 home matches dating back to 2003.

“Both of these matches have so much significance for us,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “Each of those teams is very good at what they do.”

Huskie blockers will have their hands full against Ohio’s Melissa Griffin and Ellen Herman. The two rank first and second in the MAC in hitting percentage with .369 and .342 respectively. They are also each averaging more than four kills a game.

But NIU isn’t exactly slacking on offense either. Lately, the offense has been spread out with senior middle blocker Kate McCullagh inflicting much of the damage.

“Everyone is really starting to grasp the offense,” Gooden said. “We’ve seen flashes of where we can be, but we haven’t put it all together quite yet.”

Gina Guide, who recently received cvu.com National Volleyball Player of the Week honors, has been one of the team’s biggest leaders on the court as of late.

“She’s been doing a real good job keeping everyone focused, confident and humble,” Gooden said.

The Huskies 7-1 conference start is their best since 1997.

Andy Pruski is a Sports Reporter for the Northern Star.