As the newly ranked number-seven team in the Mideast Region, the NIU volleyball team enters a challenging weekend against two of its conference rivals.

Facing Ball State (16-6, 12-2) on Friday at 7 p.m. and Western Michigan (12-8, 7-6) on Saturday at 7 p.m., NIU (16-4, 11-2) is getting ready for what it calls a very big weekend.

“This weekend is huge,” said outside hitter Carrie Blankenship. “Friday is probably one of the biggest matches that has come through Evans Field House since I’ve been here. There is so much at stake for both teams; the winner obviously being at the top of the MAC.

“On Saturday you’ve got the defending MAC (Mid-American Conference) Champions, Western Michigan. So it’s going to be a fun weekend.”

With Ball State currently having a half-match lead over NIU for first place in the MAC, this Friday’s match could prove to be pivotal.

While Ball State is ahead of NIU in the MAC race, it resides behind the Huskies in the region, at number nine. The only other MAC team ranked is Akron at number 10.

“We are going to need the crowd again Friday night,” said NIU coach Todd Kress, after the uplifting turnout on Tuesday against Iowa. “Playing for first place, it could ultimately determine who hosts this whole thing.”

Referring to the MAC tournament, Kress is excited for Friday.

Kress also isn’t overlooking Western Michigan for Saturday. Noting that it is one of the MAC’s best blocking teams, he is preparing his middles for the challenge that awaits.

While the Huskies currently are riding a 13-game winning streak, two wins this weekend also could place this year’s team into the NIU record books. With a pair of wins, they would tie for the all-time longest winning streak in NIU history with 15 in a row.