DeKALB | NIU volleyball has to do something this weekend it hasn’t had to do all month – play a match coming off a loss.

Though the Huskies lost their chance at a perfect October with their lost against Ohio, their 8-2 conference record still is top in the MAC West by a three match lead.

NIU hosts Ball State on Friday at 7 p.m. and Toledo on Saturday at 7 p.m. The matches are their first at home since early October.

Both teams share 3-7 conference records, but coach Ray Gooden is not going to let his team think that translates into easy matches.

“Without a doubt, their records don’t mean anything,” Gooden said. “We’re going up against Ball State and Toledo, not some record in a book.”

The Huskies (15-7 overall, 8-2 MAC) played both teams back-to-back earlier this season and won both matches 3-1.

Ball State (6-16, 3-7) may cause some problems for NIU with their defense as they are one of only two teams in the nation that has a player with more digs than NIU’s libero Gina Guide.

Ball State’s Amanda McCormik is leading the nation averaging 7.25 digs per game, while Guide ranks third at 6.82.

“Gina is ultra-competitive and it will be a good match up,” Gooden said. “It’s not everyday you get to see two players like that go against each other.”

NIU hitters should have good opportunities against Toledo (6-17, 3-7), who is last in the MAC in blocks and last in opponent hitting percentage.

As for who is ready to step up this weekend for the Huskies, Coach Gooden is not even quite sure.

“We’ve have a great last few weeks of practice and we’re getting more and more people understanding the game,” Gooden said. “So many people have stepped up lately it’s hard to say who’s turn it is.”