NIU women’s volleyball coach Todd Kress is optimistic about this season and has good reason to feel that way.

NIU not only has a team of experienced players back, but also welcomes a talented group of newcomers to the mix.

Three freshmen and one transfer student join an already deep Huskie team that finished 24-9 a year ago. Freshmen Tera Lobdell and Daren Poe will contribute to the team this season, while freshman Mindee Magill will sit this season out due to ineligibility for failing to meet initial NCAA academic requirements.

“The freshmen have come in and have had an immediate impact,” said Kress. “You couldn’t even tell they were freshmen because they are performing so well.”

Outside hitter Lobdell comes to NIU from Minnesota, where she led Robbinsdale Armstrong High School to a perfect record and a state championship. She also was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

Poe, a middle blocker, comes to NIU from Indiana where she attended Martinsville High School. She, like Lobdell, led her high school to success, but not in the form of a state title. The 6-foot freshman set school season records for kills and attack percentage and looks forward to bringing that same success to the Huskies.

“Both of the freshmen are going to bring something different to the team,” said Kress.

“Tera has great court sense, great ball control, passes well and plays good defense, but Daren is more physical,” added Kress. “I don’t know who will contribute more at this point because both are playing at such a high level.”

Along with the freshman class, sophomore outside hitter Brooke Dodson will enjoy her first season as a Huskie. Dodson comes to NIU from the University of Kentucky, where she averaged 1.96 digs per game and 1.16 kills.

Last season, the Huskies had great success from their freshmen as Jenny Bowman was named Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year. With two outstanding freshman this season, one might follow Bowman’s success and once again bring the award home.

Poe and Lobdell see nothing but success in each of their futures and each are excited about the season.

“I see me and Tera getting better as the year goes on because we haven’t had much experience at the collegiate level,” said Poe. “I believe we’ll be improving a lot. We are very optimistic.”