In the midst of a season-long four-match losing streak, the NIU volleyball team searches for a way to break back into the win column.

NIU looks to bounce back against Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m. today at Victor E. Court.

Defense and the offensive resurgence of senior Megan Markowski will be the keys for victory as the Huskies (7-13 overall, 2-4 MAC) face off against the Eagles (13-7, 8-1).

The Huskies dropped their first meeting with EMU 3-1 on the road Sept. 24. The Eagles have won nine of their last 10 matches since then, paced by freshman setter Kate Sulewski, who is second in the MAC with 13.28 assists per game.

“Eastern Michigan is a very physical team, especially their middle blockers,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “Their attackers are strong, so we’ll need to use our block and pressure them defensively as much as possible.”

The Huskies defense is coming off a match at Akron Friday where the team registered 123 digs and 14 team blocks in the loss. Sophomore middle blocker Kate McCullagh has led the team with at least six blocks in each of her last five matches.

“I’m definitely happy with our defense lately,” junior setter Marie Zidek said. “Our back row keeps getting the balls up to give our offense more opportunities to score.”

Usually a defensive middle blocker, Markowski has been averaging 15 kills a match over the last three matches. She reached double digits in kills only twice in the team’s previous 17 matches – including the five that Markowski missed with a foot injury.

“A lot of it is her hard work,” Gooden said. “She’s really tried to get herself back in shape from her previous injury, and now it’s starting to show in the box score.”

With their recent home skid, the Huskies look to stay aggressive against EMU and snap out of their current funk, McCullagh said.

“We need to get some wins under our belt,” McCullagh said. “It would do a lot to improve our morale and confidence. We all need to put the past in the past and not dwell on the losses. It’s like we got a clean slate.”