Nearly a month ago, the NIU volleyball team began MAC play with a straight-games loss to defending conference champ Ball State.

The loss, held at BSU’s Worthen Arena (where the Cardinals had a 56-match winning streak), was the Huskies’ second in 12 matches.

At 7 p.m. tonight, the Huskies (14-7, 3-5 MAC) look to get back on track, when they take on the Cardinals at Victor E. Court, where they’ve lost three matches this season.

“We’re going to have to play good, solid volleyball,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “They’re a very good team defensively. They’re probably one of the best defensive teams we’ll face all year.”

NIU is in the midst of a three-match losing streak, the team’s first losing streak of the season. With Saturday and Sunday’s losses, the Huskies fell into last place in the MAC West.

“A win would be great for a lot of reasons,” Gooden said. “It would be good for the team’s confidence. It would help us as far as the conference race goes, and it would be a good win at home.”

The Cardinals (10-10, 5-3 MAC) were the preseason choice to win the MAC West again and are tied for first in the MAC West with Eastern Michigan.

Sarah Obras leads the Cardinals with her 5.74 kills per game. The average also is tops in the MAC, more than a kill higher than the second-place person.

Obras also is second in the conference for digs, with a 4.36 average. BSU teammate Stephanie Keller leads the MAC with 5.81 digs per game.

Tera Lobdell, third in the MAC, leads the Huskies with a 4.21 KPG average.