Having already played two Big Ten teams, NIU volleyball coach Ray Gooden feels his team will be prepared to face No. 21 Michigan State.

“I think we’re better prepared as far as knowing what it’s going to take to win,” Gooden said.

NIU (7-3) will take on the Spartans tonight at 7 p.m. at MSU’s Jenison Field House. The Huskies haven’t faced the Spartans since 1988. The two teams have split the previous six meetings.

The Huskies are coming into tonight riding a five-match winning streak. On Tuesday night they won at DePaul in four games.

This will be the last match the Huskies play before MAC play begins. NIU will open its conference schedule against Ball State on Wednesday.

“Winning this match will give us tons of momentum right before we get in the conference schedule,” Gooden said. “We’re going to do whatever it takes to win this match. Michigan State, on paper, is the best of the three Big Ten schools on our schedule.”

Reigning MAC West Player of the Week Jen VonderHaar will be expected to continue playing well. She and sophomore Tera Lobdell led the attack on Tuesday with 14 kills apiece.

VonderHaar leads the team with a .307 hitting percentage and 128 kills.

Gooden has stressed consistency all year long and his Huskies seemed to have done so during this streak. However, Gooden is still waiting for the team to play its best.

“We’re still looking for that match where everyone’s clicking,” Gooden added. “We don’t want to be struggling once conference comes.”