DeKALB - In the previous two seasons, NIU and Miami University have eliminated each other in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. That trend will continue on Sunday as the Huskies and RedHawks will square off for a berth into the NCAA Tournament at 5 p.m. in Victor E. Court.

Doors to the NIU Convocation Center will open at 4 p.m. with the first 200 students receiving a free hot dog, complimentary of Sodexo. Students must present a valid Student ID to receive the promotion.

The Huskies eliminated Miami last season in the MAC Tournament Semifinal in 2015, 3-1, and fell in five sets in 2014 to the RedHawks with both matches taking place in Athens, Ohio. On Halloween weekend in Oxford, Ohio this year, a boisterous crowd at Millett Hall rallied Miami to a nip-and-tuck three set victory. The Huskies will look to return the favor tonight against the RedHawks.

In last night's semifinal, Victor E. Court was filled to capacity and then some as 1,001 fans piled into the gym and in the lobby of the Convocation Center to watch the Huskies defeat Ohio in straight sets, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19. The attendance shattered the previous gym record of 954 on Sept. 14, 2010 when NIU hosted Wisconsin and fell in three frames.

Tonight's matchup will feature two teams with identical records of 24-5 with both teams running like 6-2 rotations and rosters that feature power, height, precision and physical play on offense and defense. Though in NIU's gym, the RedHawks will be the designated home team.

Northern Illinois University is playing in its eighth MAC Tournament final in program history and its second in the last year years. The Huskies are 2-5 all-time in the finals. NIU previously advanced in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015.

NIU has won nine conference championships since the NCAA began sponsoring volleyball in 1982, advancing to the NCAA Tournament six times and the NIVC Tournament three times.

Since rejoining the MAC in 1997, the Huskies are 23-15 in tournament play, winning championships in 1997 and 2001. NIU hosted the MAC Tournament in 2001 at Chick Evans Fieldhouse, defeating Ball State in three sets to advance to its fifth NCAA Tournament. The Huskies last appeared in the tournament in 2011, falling to Miami  (Fla.) in Ames, Ohio, 3-1.