Nothing personal, but Tenisha Wilkins wanted to get out to quick starts for the NIU volleyball team in this weekend’s matches.

Or. . . was it personal?

The 5’9″ junior from Chicago Simeon High School jumped out of the blocks for the Huskies in their first two games against Central Michigan on Friday.

“What I told Tenisha was that if we are going down, we are going down swinging,” said NIU coach Todd Kress. “When we get into clutch time don’t roll-shot the ball, don’t tip the ball to keep the ball in play. Go in, be aggressive, swing, and if you have to take somebody’s head off, so be it. And that’s what she is starting to do.”

Finishing the Central Michigan match with an NIU season-best 23 kills in four games, she also boasted a .409 hitting percentage with 15 digs.

Keeping her hot streak alive, Wilkins continued Saturday against Toledo right where she left off on Friday.

Finishing the first game against the Rockets with seven kills, she was off to yet another quick start.

In the second game, Wilkins had a chance to finish the game with her infamous thunderbolt spike that practically knocks the opponents out of their gym shoes — if they are willing to put their life on the line and step in front of it, which few are. However, this time was not typical of how Wilkins’ weekend went.

Toledo’s Lindsey Kretzmann was bold enough to step up against Wilkins on this play, emphatically stuffing the ball back into her face.

Wilkins didn’t take very kindly to Kretzmann’s boldness, as she screamed across the net to her while making unkind gestures.

“Actually, I had something personal against [Kretzmann],” Wilkins said. “When we played them at Toledo, it was like me and her were just going at it and I had some great blocks against her, so I think she came back with a little vendetta against me, but it’s OK.”

“Tenisha won this battle,” said NIU middle blocker Rena Widboom. “I can always turn to Tenisha and say ‘put the ball on the floor’ and she’ll do it every time. She is absolutely awesome out there and she brings the emotion out there every time.”

Eventually winning the game, Wilkins was part of the mixture that helped fuel the Huskies’ fire to take out the Rockets three games to zero.

Ending the night early with the sweep of the Rockets, Wilkins feels that her trash-talking helps bring out the best in her.

“That’s just part of my game,” she said. “Whatever it takes to get the sideout and win the game.”

Walking away from Chick Evans Field House Saturday night, Wilkins accumulated team bests of 14 kills and 12 defensive digs against Toledo and a total of 37 kills on the weekend.

“Tenisha is really being aggressive on her swing and really just ripping on balls,” said Kress. “And that’s what you’ve got to want from your left sides. If your left sides are aggressive like that, it just opens up the offense for the rest of our team.”