Women's Volleyball | October 25

THE NEED TO KNOWS
Thursday: NIU (18-4, 10-0 MAC) at Western Michigan (8-15, 3-7 MAC)
Saturday: NIU (18-4, 10-0 MAC) at Miami (Ohio) (18-4, 10- MAC)

WHAT'S HAPPENIN'
• Extending its unbeaten run to 12 matches, NIU improved to 10-0 in Mid-American Conference play with a sweep last weekend at Ohio and Kent State, its first flawless weekend on that particular road swing since 2010.
• The Huskies have not started a conference season with a 10-0 record since 1993 as a member of the Mid-Continent Conference.
• Miami (Ohio) enters the weekend with an 18-4 record, including a flawless 10-0 MAC record. NIU defeated Western Michigan in straight-sets in the teams first encounter on Sept. 22.
• Northern Illinois University's defense proved crucial to its success in Ohio as it outpaced its foes in digs, 163-142, and blocks, 22-12. The Huskies have outdug their opponents nine times this season and outblocked their opposites on 19 occasions.
• In 10 matches against Mid-American Conference foes, NIU has outhit its opposition in all 10 contests and posted an average of .250-or-better nine times.
• Riding a 13-match unbeaten streak, Northern Illinois University is currently tied for the fourth-longest streak in the country with Western Kentucky. Saturday night's foe, Miami (Ohio), owns the second-longest streak in the country at 17 matches.
• NIU's streak is tied for the fifth-longest in program history.
• The Huskies remain atop the MAC in blocks per set at 2.53 (37th/NCAA) and moved past Bowling Green in hitting percentage last weekend to lead the MAC at .262 (27th/NCAA).
• Anna Brereton recorded 57 digs last weekend, including a season-best 32 at Kent State, to earn MAC West Defensive Player of the Week accolades. The honor is her first of the season and the fourth of her career.
• Jenna Radtke recorded one of the best night's of her career on Friday night at Ohio, posting a career-high 21 kills with a .633 hitting percentage (21-2-30). The senior has led NIU in kills in four of the last five matches.
• Unsung in the last three matches, Taylor Krage has posted three-straight matches with 11-or-more kills. The St. Charles, Ill., native matched her career-high with 12 at Kent State last Saturday.
• Mary Grace Kelly was a force at Kent State on Saturday, recording 20 kills and six blocks. Defensively possessed in the match, five of her six blocks were of the solo variety.

NEXT UP:
• NIU will return home for its final regular season weekend in Victor E. Court Nov. 4 and 5, hosting Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan, respectively.
• Both matches will air live on ESPN3.
• Prior to Saturday's match against the Chippewas, NIU Athletics will honor seniors Paige Dacanay, Malia Gabel, Bri Horwath, Mary Grace Kelly, Jenna Radtke and Lauren Zielinski.