DeKALB | The NIU volleyball team will start MAC competition with a tour of the “Great Lake State” this weekend when it takes on Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti and Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant.

“We’re really excited about it,” said head coach Ray Gooden. “We’ve seen a few teams similar to MAC teams and we feel pretty good about what it takes to win.”

NIU (7-5) will face Eastern Michigan (5-5) Friday at 6 p.m. For the second year in a row, the Huskies start off the conference season facing the Eagles.

Junior middle blocker Becky Reenders, this week’s MAC West Player of the Week, leads Eastern Michigan offensively. Reenders is top-10 in the MAC in three categories, ranking seventh in hitting percentage at .310, tenth in kills per game with 3.51 and tenth in points per game with 4.18.

For their second game of the weekend, NIU will face Central Michigan (9-2). After a 3-24 season last year, the Chippewas are leading the MAC West this season.

“Central has the best team they’ve had in a long time,” Gooden said.

One of the reasons for CMU’s quick start has been their defense. The Chippewas are first in the MAC in opponent’s hitting percentage, holding opposing teams to a .111 hitting percentage and third in the MAC in blocks per game with 2.66.

Gooden said balancing their offense and planning out smart shots will be the key to the Huskies’ offense this weekend.

Andrew Hansen is the NIU volleyball beat reporter for the Northern Star.