Following its best season in recent memory, NIU volleyball’s Lauren Wicinski, along with three other Huskies, decided to file for a release in hopes of transferring to another school.

Despite a combined 55-15 overall record in her two seasons at NIU, including a 25-7 MAC record, Wicinski said the need for a bigger school as her main reason for requesting a release.

Wicinski said she debated transferring since the end of the season, after a 3-1 loss to Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. She finally determined she would transfer about a week ago.

“All four of us have asked for our release,” Wicinski said. “But we are still yet to be released, and as far as I know, none of us are trying to go to the same places. We’re all leaving for our own different reasons.”

In her two seasons with the Huskies, Wicinski helped establish the program as a national threat, leading the nation in points (6.18/set) and kills (5.34/set) while the Huskies ranked first in the NCAA in kills as a team (15.02/set).

“She made her decision and we understood it,” said NIU coach Ray Gooden. “I wish her the best in the future.”

Wicinski is the only player to ever be named MAC Player of the Year in her first two seasons and was named MAC Player of the Week five times last season. In 54 matches, Wicinski became the 18th player in NIU history and the youngest player in the MAC to reach the 1,000 kill mark.

Now, Wicinski is unsure of where she will transfer. She has not had any contact with other programs yet.

Wicinski said the decision to leave NIU was tough, as her mother was a prominent figure for NIU volleyball from 1983-1987. Her father played for NIU’s football program from 1981-1985.

“She was sad that I’m not going to be here,” Wicinski said. “But she’s happy that I’m making a better decision for myself.”

Besides Wicinski, freshmen Cheyenne Dawson, Jessica Lubic and Haley Norris asked for a release. All three saw limited time during their first season.

Donna Turner, NIU Associate Athletics Director for Communications, said that the list of players leaving were “a few non-scholarships.” She didn’t know offhand which players that included, though.

Gooden said he didn’t talk with Dawson, Lubic and Norris about their decision to leave the program.

“I did not have any communication with them about that,” Gooden said. “I think they spoke with their advisers and their family members and things like that. I’m not going to speculate; they just made their own decisions and informed us, and I wish them the best.”

Gooden’s wife, Stepahnie, resigned as girls’ volleyball head coach at DeKalb High School Monday. Gooden made it clear that the resignation and transfers are unrelated to his future with NIU.

“They had nothing to do with anything related to my family or future here,” Gooden said. “I just don’t see a connection between those two things.”

Since major roles must be filled going into next year, the spring season is the main focus on Gooden’s mind. Gooden will now have to fill the void of Wicinski and the departure of graduates All-American setter Kristin Hoffman and outside hitter Allison McGlaughlin.

“We are losing over 4,000 assists from Kristin and the tremendous stats that Allison gave us,” Gooden said. “So it’s important for our group to work together to build so we can be as strong next year.

NIU Athletic Director Jeff Compher declined a request for an interview Monday.