During high school, NIU freshman volleyball player Kate McCullagh was good friends with Illinois State’s Savannah Knowles.

McCullagh, from Woodstock High School, and Knowles, a Crystal Lake Central High School graduate, were enemies on the court, facing off twice a year as Fox Valley Conference foes.

On Oct. 30, 2002, McCullagh ended Knowles’ high school career with a victory in the opening match of the regional tournament.

At 7 p.m. today at Victor E. Court, the two face off for the first time since the regional duel a year ago.

“I’m really excited,” McCullagh said. “It’d be nice to block her.”

Knowles is third on the Redbirds (6-10) with a 2.38-kills-per-game average this season.

In the midst of its MAC schedule, NIU (14-4) will take a break with the non-conference match. It will be the final non-MAC match of the season for the Huskies.

“I think it’s good for us when we play local teams,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “I think enough players on the team have a lot of drive in those matches because of their connections. A lot of girls on Illinois State have played with or against a good amount of the girls on our team.”

The Redbirds are led on offense by sophomore outside hitter Laura Doornbos with her 4.07-kills-per-game average.

“They’re well coached,” Gooden said. “They have two strong middle [blockers], and I think two strong outside [hitters]. So we have to do a good job of defending against some pretty good attackers.”

With the number of players on both teams that know each other, today’s match should be fun, Gooden said.