NIU volleyball’s 2011 season was a definite improvement from its prior season.

Huskies coach Ray Gooden was named MAC Coach of the Year for the first time in his 10-year tenure, while his team won the MAC regular season title for the first time since 2001 after finishing league play with a 14-2 record.

NIU was near the top of the nation’s RPI rankings for a good portion of its 28-7 season, but its 15-match winning streak was snapped in a devastating five-set defeat to Central Michigan in the MAC Championship match. It was the second straight year the Huskies lost in the championship finals.

“It was great for our group and it was a goal to get back there again,” Gooden said. “It was something that was unfulfilled and we wanted to be back in the same situation again. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.”

Although they couldn’t achieve one of the team’s major goals, the Huskies were given the respect they earned by receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships. The berth was the first for NIU since 2001, the year before Gooden took over the program.

Despite being led by All-Americans Kristin Hoffman and Lauren Wicinski, the Huskies lost their opening round match to Miami (Florida) 3-1.

“For the girls to get a chance to experience what it’s like to be in the NCAA’s, it’s awesome,” Gooden said. “It’s really about them getting a chance to feel it as a program.”

The season was one for the record books for the Huskies, even if they didn’t win the MAC Championship or advance in the NCAA tournament. Hoffman was the first Huskie to ever be named MAC Setter of the Year. Wicinski was named MAC Player of the Year for her second straight season, making her the only player in conference history to accomplish that feat in their freshman and sophomore years.

There were five Huskies named All-MAC, which was also a school record. Aside from Hoffman and Wicinski, Allison McGlaughlin, Mary Kurisch and Justine Schepler were recognized for their strong play.

“We had players that ended up top-20 in the country statistically,” Gooden said. “We had players that logged in significant time on the court. We had a lot of positive things that went on. The biggest thing was that by having the amount of success we had as a team, the rest of the things, like individual awards, were a bonus.”