“It’s incredible,” NIU Coach Ray Gooden said. “Hammons had a great career for Ball State. If Tera doesn’t get 20 kills in two matches with the year she’s been having, something’s not right.”

But the record-breaking year by Lobdell, which includes setting the NIU single-season and career kills mark, has lost its significance for the 6-foot-1 outside hitter.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Lobdell, who is No. 6 in the nation with 5.68 kills per game. “But it’s not really a big deal. I’d rather help the team win matches.”

NIU (11-18 overall, 6-8 MAC) has won three of four matches and looks to distance itself from Toledo (16-11, 5-9) in the crowded MAC West division.

Kent State, Miami and NIU are tied for the No. 7 seed in the MAC tournament, which begins Nov. 16. With the No. 4-8 seeds receiving a first-round home match, Lobdell sees the final two regular season matches as critical for the team.

“We have nothing to lose,” Lobdell said. “We did a lot of traveling early in the year and it takes a lot out of you. Having a first-round home match in the tournament would be huge.”

The last time the Huskies and Rockets faced off Oct. 29, NIU won 3-1 at Toledo and tallied 19 team blocks.

The main defensive focus for NIU will be on senior outside hitter Rachel Mohler. Mohler leads the Rockets with 3.91 kills per game for the season and had a career-high 27 kills Nov. 6 against Marshall.

“Rachel is a real good player and has had a good career,” Gooden said. “We got in a good rhythm against Toledo last time. We’re going to work hard to slow her down and get a lot of touches on her swings.”