If the Kent State volleyball team hopes to keep its high ranking in the Mid-American Conference East Division, the Flashes will have to beat the top two teams from the West.

The Flashes (15-6, 6-2 MAC) will play at Northern Illinois tonight at 7 p.m. and Western Michigan tomorrow at 7 p.m.

Currently, the Flashes rank tied for third in the MAC East. Western Michigan (16-6, 7-1) leads the MAC West – the Broncos’ only conference loss came when Miami defeated them Sept. 22, and they have won all seven of their home matches this season.

“This weekend, we’ve got a huge (match),” Kent State coach Glen Conley said. “Western Michigan is No. 1 in the West, and they’re a team that is as good as the teams in the East. So that’s going to be a real battle for us.”

Northern Illinois (11-11, 5-3 MAC) has won five consecutive MAC matches to move into second place in the West.

“Northern Illinois has been strong in the MAC (in past years), and they’re good again this year,” Conley said.

– Doug Gulasy