Last year, the NIU volleyball team lost to both Kent State and Akron on the road in MAC matches.

This season, however, both the Golden Flashes (5-6, 1-1 MAC) and the Zips (6-8, 1-1) travel to play at Victor E. Court, where the Huskies are 9-1 this season.

The Huskies (12-2, 1-1) kick off the weekend with Akron at 7 p.m. Friday and finish with Kent State at 3 p.m. Saturday.

NIU coach Ray Gooden knows his team went winless against the two teams a year ago, but thinks there is another more important motivator for the Huskies.

“I think we’re really staying hard-focused on defending our home court,” Gooden said. “History shows that we lost to both these teams last year, but right now all we want to do is win two quality matches at home.”

Despite the fact that both teams are below .500, Gooden knows neither of the matches will be a walk-over for the 12-2 Huskies.

“Every match is going to be tough in the MAC,” Gooden said. “Every team will be tough, because the conference tournament is different this year where the top three seeds get a bye in the first round, and the other 10 teams play to get in the quarterfinals.”

Kent State has one of the MAC leaders for kills in Danielle Holt. The sophomore outside hitter is second in the conference with a 4.66 kills per game average this season. Another Flashes sophomore, Anne Butts, is third in the MAC for assists, just ahead of NIU sophomore Marie Zidek.

“[Kent State and Akron are] both quick and competitive like most the teams in the conference,” Zidek said.

The matches will be the first MAC home contests for the Huskies this season. Gooden knows that will be a lift for NIU, who has played its only two conference matches on the road.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Gooden said. “I just hope we’ll have a good crowd and a good atmosphere, work hard and play some good team volleyball.”