November 5, 2008 - Sometimes, conventional wisdom says all regular season games mean the same to a team. That is not the case this weekend for the Hillsdale College volleyball team.

Plenty will be on the line for the Chargers in their final two home matches of the 2008 season this weekend. Friday night, Hillsdale hosts Northwood University starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, the Chargers will take on Wayne State University at 2 p.m.

Depending on the outcome of those matches, Hillsdale could host a first-round GLIAC Tournament match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12 against an opponent yet to be determined. If the Chargers win both matches this weekend, they will win the GLIAC South Division and receive the number two seed in the upcoming conference tournament. However, Hillsdale could drop to as low as third place in the GLIAC South, and would then have to play either Northwood or Wayne State again in next week's match.

But before the conference tournament can begin, there is regular season business to attend. Hillsdale will be looking to avenge two losses from earlier in the season in these matches at home. The Chargers lost 3-2 at Northwood on Sept. 19, and lost a frustrating 3-1 decision to the Warriors in Detroit on Sept. 20. That weekend marked the second time in almost three calendar years that Hillsdale lost two matches in a row on the road in GLIAC play.

Those losses also sent the team into a 2-6 tailspin that covered three straight weekends. But the Chargers come into play this weekend on a serious hot streak, winners of six in a row, with three of those coming in one-sided 3-0 sweeps.

During this current winning streak, Hillsdale has been clicking on all cylinders. The team's passing has dramatically improved, leading to improved numbers on offense, including hitting percentage.

But it will not be easy for Hillsdale to extend its winning streak this weekend. Hillsdale and Northwood are currently tied for first place in the South Division with identical 8-6 conference ledgers. Wyane State lurks one game behind, at 7-7, and the Warriors have a team capable of beating nearly anyone on any gven night.

Friday's match will pit two of the best freshmen in the conference against one another. Northwood's Sara Sorkina is one of the Timberwolves' best outside hitters and vertical jumpers.

Charger freshman Ashlee Crowder could be matched up face-to-face with Skorina at times, and Crowder matches Skorina's threat level. Crowder is the only freshman in the GLIAC to be ranked in the top 10 of three different statistical categories, and is one of the team's hardest hitters and most dangerous servers.

Saturday's match figures to be just as intense, as the Chargers and Warriors square off for the second time this season. Wayne State clinched its 3-1 win over Hillsdale on Sept. 20 with a 29-27 win in the fourth set. In the second set of that match, Wayne State's last four points in a row came directly off errors committed by the Chargers.

First-year head coach Phil Nickel has done an outstanding job of re-energizing the Warrior program this season. With the help of several transfer players from various community colleges, Wayne State features one of the more explosive offensive attacks in the GLIAC. Warrior junior Sarah Gosselin leads the conference with 338 kills, 3.60 per set. Defensively, Wayne State is led by Mayssa Bazzi, who has been one of the top liberos in the conference over the past three years.

Friday night will be a special night for Hillsdale, as the team will honor its three seniors on Senior Night. Stephanie Booms, Jamie Murray and Elisse Shank will be recognized in a pre-match ceremony for their outstanding play during their careers at Hillsdale.