NATCHITOCHES – If Northwestern State was only going to have one home match in the span of 19 days, the Demons could not have picked a better day than Halloween.
 
Northwestern hosts HCU at 6:30 p.m. in Prather Coliseum in the lone home match in the span of five total to end the month of October and start November. Fans and students attending the match can participate in the pre-match costume contest and compete for prizes at the Spooktacular event.
 
The costume contest begins at 5:30 p.m. with prizes awarded in four categories. There will also be a kid's costume contest for those 12 and under along with a trick-or-treating zone, games and giveaways.
 
While there will be plenty of treats passed out prior to the match in the form of chocolate and candy, senior outside hitter Teresa Garza will get a treat on the court as she gets the chance to face off with her younger sister Ana, a sophomore at HCU.
 
"It's another game day and I love game days but this one is super special because Ana will be lined up on the other side of the net," Garza said. "I'm hoping that we're lined up right across from each other. Maybe a little trash talk and a couple of smiles and just kind of read each other's mind across the net. I can't even wait for it to get here."
 
Thursday's match will be the first time the two will compete head-to-head against one another. Although the Demons and Huskies met three times a year ago, both Garzas first years on their respective teams, then-freshman Ana did not play in any of those matches.
 
This year the younger Garza has started 18 of HCU's 20 matches and is averaging 2.14 kills per set with the third most kills on the team and serves as the Huskies second leading blocker with 43 rejections.
 
Teresa, following up on her impressive 300 kill, 300 dig season for the Demons from a year ago, continues to serve as a linchpin type of player for NSU both offensively and defensively. She is averaging 3.28 kills and 3.12 digs per set on the season, both averages among the top in the Southland Conference.
 
As the daughters of former Texas All-American and Hall of Famer Katy Jameyson Garza, it's no surprise that both Garza girls are excelling and ready to compete against each other.
 
"I've imagined the scenarios over and over in my head," Garza laughed. "She goes up to hit and I block her and then just kind of look at each other and nod our heads. And the same thing for her. She's a great blocker, a great right side, but I can't wait to tool her block. I'm excited and really grateful we get this chance."
 
The Garzas share many of the same skill sets on the floor with their abilities to score in many different ways offensively, provide strong defense and are key pieces to their team's success, but they also share a jersey number that holds an ever greater significance to both of them.
 
"It's super special to do this with her," Garza said. "We got to play two seasons together in high school and that was awesome. We're best friends so playing with her was just a blessing. And we also both have something other to play for too. We both wear the same number and I think it's just a special thing to get to share with my sister."
 
Teresa and Ana each wear the number 17 in honor of their father Ray who passed away in 2019. Ray was a pitcher at Sam Houston and wore the number 34.
 
The matchup between the two sisters will also serve as an indicator for each team's success on the night. 
 
Both the Demons and Huskies present one of the best blocking units in the conference that will look to slow down the other team's multiple offensive options, including both Garza sisters. For the Demons to thrive on the court it will take the same amount of determination they've seen in practice to carry over into the match.
 
"Being relentless and not giving up on plays," Garza said. "Having grit and a lot of hard work is going to help us out the most on Thursday."
 
The Demons have had more blocks than their opponents in five of the past six matches and not lost the block category since their trip to UIW on Oct. 5, the only conference opponent to have more blocks than the Demons in a conference match this year.