The Huskie volleyball team will take on host DePaul at 7 p.m. today in an attempt to extend a four-match winning streak.

The DePaul Blue Demons (2-7) are on a two-match losing streak.

NIU (6-3) is fresh off of a successful weekend after winning the Country Inn and Suites Classic.

The Huskies defeated Mississippi State University, Saint Louis University and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in the tournament. However, with DePaul, they face a different challenge.

“DePaul has a young, but solid setter,” coach Ray Gooden said. “They have a real strong outside hitter in Kate Engel. Our goal is to serve them really tough to take them out of their offense.”

The stretch of the last tournament took a toll on some of the players.

“People are tired. I know the middles [Rena Widboom and Jen VonderHaar] are tired and a little banged up,” Gooden said. “Our setter [Jenny Rohren] is also a little banged up, so we gave them a little bit of a rest today.”

Tera Lobdell has the highest average of kills per game with 3.24; however, VonderHaar leads the team with 114 kills. Rohren leads the Huskies with 10 assists per game and Melissa Benson leads the team with an average of 2.74 digs per game.

VonderHaar, the reigning MAC West Divisional Player of the Week, also leads the MAC in blocks per game with an average of 1.4.

After a weekend that featured two five-game matches, Gooden spoke on how vital it is to have a short match against the Blue Demons.

“The sooner we get back home, the better off we will be – on the winning side, of course,” he said.