The NIU volleyball team will host Chicago State at 7 p.m. today on Victor E. Court at the Convocation Center. The Huskies will try and snap their current three match losing streak, which is the longest the school has seen since they dropped three matches from Oct. 22-29 of 1999.

“We are trying to get back on the winning track,” NIU coach Ray Gooden said. “We have had big bouts of inconsistency so we are just trying to get more consistent.”

Times a changin’

With rule changes like rally scoring and allowing serves to hit the net, collegiate volleyball has seen its share of change in the past year.

This season brings another addition to the game. A libero player is now allowed on the court. A libero is a designated back-row player who is used as a ball control specialist.

The libero changes the game in that she is allowed to replace any back row player without it counting as a substitution. The libero though must only play in the back row and may not serve, block or attempt to block.

The libero, which in NIU’s case has been junior Melissa Benson, also must wear a different colored uniform than the rest of the team so that she can be distinguished on the court.

Huskie ball?

The Huskies are playing this season’s home matches with a red, black and white colored volleyball.

“We had a deal with Baden, who made volleyballs in those colors for the Canadian National Team,” Gooden said. “We were fortunate that they made a ball with our colors so we’ll use them for our home matches.”

Injury Update

Sophomore Tera Lobdell returned to action this weekend in the Adidas Invitational after missing the first weekend of play. “She is expected to play tonight,” said Gooden.

Senior setter Jenny Rohren, however, will probably return for tonight’s match after she suffered a concussion in practice earlier this week.