NIU must stay on toes

By Andy Pruski

DeKALB | The NIU volleyball team will look to gain some momentum heading into conference play today as it faces Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in its final non-conference match at 7 p.m. on Victor E. Court.

The Huskies will be up against a streaky IPFW (8-8) that is working on a three-match winning streak to follow up a five-match winning streak earlier in the season.

NIU is coming off a win of its own, however, as it defeated UIC 3-0 at home last Tuesday. Senior Kate McCullagh had 23 kills in the win.

IPFW boasts a balanced offense that may make it tough for the Huskies to key in on one player.

“They are a really good team,” said NIU coach Ray Gooden. “They are very solid top to bottom and have offense spread throughout their entire team. We’re going to have to be on our toes.”

Huskie blockers will have their hands full with Cynara Martins, an outside hitter for the Mastodons.

Martins is averaging close to three kills a game but has stepped up her play as of late.

“Martins is a very smart attacker,” Gooden said. “And she’s definitely not one-dimensional.”

NIU has its own force at the net in senior Kate McCullagh. The Woodstock native ranks first in the MAC with 5.11 kills and 5.72 points per game.

The Huskies (7-4) should have fresh legs on their side as they are coming off a six-day rest after having four matches in five days.

Gooden is hopeful that the rest will not leave his team rusty.

“We went through a good stretch there,” the fifth-year coach said. “The rest should be good as far as giving people some time to get healthier.”