The NIU volleyball team will try to even up its road record at the Northern Iowa Invitational after going 0-3 at the Duke Invitational last weekend.

The Huskies (2-6) begin the weekend against South Florida at 5 p.m. today, with Saturday matches against host Northern Iowa at 12:30 p.m. and the finale against Bradley at 5 p.m.

Recent injuries to freshman outside hitter Laura Baetzel and senior middle blocker Megan Markowski have put the pressure on the rest of the team to perform at their highest level, NIU setter Marie Zidek said.

“Everyone has to step up,” Zidek said. “We only have seven people at 100 percent, so no one can have a bad game. But I think we play better with pressure on us.”

NIU coach Ray Gooden said the additions of Baetzel or Markowski to the starting lineup would be a game-time decision.

Last season, Northern Iowa was ranked No. 6 in the country and beat NIU at home 3-1 (30-26, 26-30, 30-27, 30-26). The loss is still fresh in several players’ minds, including sophomore middle blocker Kate McCullagh.

“All matches, to me, are must-win,” McCullagh said. “But after last weekend, all of us are more hungry. I don’t like to lose, not even a little bit. After last year’s close match, a few other teammates and myself want to get it even more.”

Northern Iowa (3-4) was ranked No. 21 in the country in pre-season polls, but its non-conference schedule against ranked teams has pushed its record under .500.

“A team’s record doesn’t always reflect how good they are,” Zidek said. “They aren’t any more or less dangerous than if they had a winning record. You have to look at the opponents they’ve played to get an accurate assessment.”

Northern Iowa was 11-0 at home last year when it earned a sixth-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament. With an average attendance of more than 1,700, the Panthers boast a significant home-court advantage, Gooden said.

“Northern Iowa has the advantage because they have home court and a great facility,” Gooden said. “It’s a pretty intense environment. They have a lot of fans who are very passionate about volleyball. We just have to focus that out to be able to play good volleyball this weekend.”