Chances for the NIU volleyball team to defend its MAC title are getting slimmer by the day.

NIU dropped another pair of conference matches this weekend to Akron and Kent State. The losses dropped the Huskies to 12-14 overall and more importantly 5-9 within the MAC.

In Friday’s 3-1 loss to Akron, the Huskies got a boost from junior Alex Hofmann. She compiled a career-high 14 kills and hit at a .462 attack percentage.

“Alex played really well for us tonight,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “If we had a bright spot offensively it was her. We were trying to attack that side of the court with both of our right sides. We were looking to take advantage of the defense they were running by going to her side of the court and she did a good job of attacking the ball.”

Outside hitter Tera Lobdell also provided a spark as she had 13 kills, extending her streak of games with double-digit kills to 13.

Juniors Brooke Dodson and Melissa Benson had 17 and 16 digs, respectively, to lead the team.

On Saturday, the Huskies faced another tough test in Kent State (16-10). The Golden Flashes took care of the Huskies as they won in three games, 28-30, 30-32, 27-30.

Inopportune errors killed the Huskies on Saturday. NIU had 10 service errors to KSU’s four.

NIU had a 25-20 lead in Game 2, but eventually lost, heading to the locker room down 2-0.

“We played good volleyball tonight, but then we made mistakes at critical points,” Gooden said. “In the third game we gave up a big run but fought back to tie it at 26-all and then served the ball out to give them the match.”

NIU hit at .308 for the match, but was doomed by the serving errors and eight return errors.

Senior Jen VonderHaar did her part with 13 kills and Lobdell added 10 to stretch her streak to 14 games.

With eight teams advancing to the MAC Tournament, NIU sits in ninth place with four matches remaining.

Last season, the Huskies were 18-3 in the MAC and won 15 straight conference games. This season NIU has accumulated one two-game win streak in conference.