NIU is looking to continue its five match winning streak when they travel to play Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

“It’s going to be a tough match,” NIU head coach Ray Gooden said.

The Huskies (7-5) are 1-2 on the road this season with their lone win coming last week against Western Illinois, 3-0.

NIU has 511 kills with a .242 hitting percentage in 39 games. The Huskies are dominant from behind the line with 62 serving aces. NIU’s blocking has been working as well with 62 total blocks.

The Huskies’ opposition has faired even better with 74 total blocks.

Junior Meagan Schoenrock has led the NIU attack all season with 199 kills in 39 games.
Middle blocker Cassie Yates is the leading blocker with 30 total blocks. NIU’s setting is led by junior Amanda Tadla with 365 assists.

Outside hitter Allison McGlaughlin has been the Huskie leader from behind the line with 19 serving aces, but has also committed 30 serving errors.

The NIU defense has been the team focus so far, and has been led by sophomore Maddie Hughes with 162 digs.

The Panthers (6-3) are 1-2 at home and have won five out of their last six matches. UWM’s last win came against Connecticut, the team which gave the Huskies their first loss of the season, in five sets.

“They are a very well-coached team,” Gooden said. “They are difficult to beat at home.”

The Panthers have 392 kills and a .177 hitting percentage in 32 games played. The Panthers’ defense has played exceptionally well with only 32 reception errors and a .946 receiving percentage.

UWM’s attack leader is outside hitter Becky Peters with 123 kills and a .237 hitting percentage.
The Panthers split their setting between freshman Samantha Trawitzke and junior Kellye Zaporski with 166 assists and 158 assists respectively.

Libero Lauren Felsing can be dangerous behind the line with 13 serving aces in 32 games played. Middle blocker Maddie Sueppel is the brick wall for the Panthers with 31 total blocks.

Last season, UWM got the best of the Huskies in DeKalb. NIU had a commanding 2-0 lead, but went on to lose the next three sets 30-28, 30-28, 26-30, 24-30, 11-15.

“We had an opportunity last year, but we didn’t finish it out,” Gooden said. “We’re living in the present and not dwelling on the past.”

With a win, the Huskies would guarantee their best non-conference record since 2003 when they went 12-3.

The game will start at 7 p.m. tonight at the Klotsche Center in Milwaukee.

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