It’s going to be a long trip.

These were the words senior Carrie Blankenship used to describe the NIU volleyball team’s bus ride to its Ohio and Marshall matches this weekend, instead of the scheduled flight.

Because of the Sept. 11 attacks, people around the world are second-guessing whether or not to fly anywhere.

Coach Todd Kress and the players know it will be a long ride, but they are comfortable with the decision.

“I think that he (Kress) has a valid reason for not wanting to fly and he’s responsible for all of us, so if he feels it’d be safer for us to drive, then we’ll drive,” Blankenship said.

Third game not the charm: This past weekend, the Huskies took both of their matches against Kent State and Toledo. However, in both matches NIU had its chances to sweep the match and failed to do so, losing both third games.

NIU committed 10 errors in game three at Kent State, and nine errors in game three at Toledo. The errors led to the Huskies, hitting an attack percentage of .184 against Kent State and .085 against Toledo.

End of the road: Since conference play started Sept. 19, NIU has played only two games at Chick Evans Fieldhouse. Seven of the first nine conference games had the Huskies on the road, and that trip will end this weekend.

After this weekend, NIU will host nine of its next 10 games, which Kress said should help the Huskies have a say in what happens in the conference.

“We’ve got the top teams in the conference coming in,” Kress said. “However, they are coming here and we’re at home. We know we’re a tough team to beat here. I don’t think anybody’s just going to come in here and walk over us in the fieldhouse.”

Blankenship’s blazin’: Over the past few weeks, NIU has won five in a row due to its outstanding balance and team play. Carrie Blankenship seems to be stepping up her play right when the Huskies need her.

After the team lost its first two conference games on the road, Blankenship has shown why she’s the captain as she has helped the Huskies by playing excellent volleyball. She was awarded for her recent success on the court by being named MAC Player of the Week for Oct. 1 through 9.

She hit a career-best .522 percentage Saturday at Toledo, and is currently first on the team in kills with 127, and second in assists, digs and hitting percentage.

“I can accredit my success to my teammates the past few weeks,” said the senior captain. “With the balanced offense that we run, it’s hard for the opposing team to know where the ball goes. My teammates have been setting me up well, and luckily I’ve been able to convert.”