Despite a few bumps in the road, the NIU volleyball team is working hard to continue its stellar play this fall, looking to top last year’s 24-9 record.

Wrapping up their spring season tomorrow, the team has been busy training since the season ended Nov. 24 with a loss to Western Michigan.

Through January and February, the team went through strenuous individual workouts. Following the individuals, team practices were held from March 5 through Wednesday.

Although the Huskies didn’t participate in any off-season tournaments, they did a lot of technical work and spent ample time in the weight room.

“They’ve been pushing themselves a lot, and they’ve made big strides,” NIU coach Todd Kress said. “I’m very happy with the improvements they’ve made both strength wise and technical.”

Mixed in with all the good is a touch of bad, as the Huskies are losing two of last year’s freshmen.

Outside hitters 6-foot Aubrey Clark and 5-foot-11 Shara Parker will not suit up with the team in the fall.

Clark, a Colorado-native, will head back home to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she is unsure if she will continue her volleyball career.

“I think [Aubrey] is pursuing some different things academically and wanted to be closer to home,” Kress said.

A former Utah resident, Parker has been released from playing because of a sore back suffered from three ruptured vertebrates.

“Everyone involved — doctors, trainers, staff and Shara included, felt that she should be moved to a medical,” Kress said.

Kress anticipates Parker to continue to be a part of NIU’s program and possibly be a student assistant while continuing her education as a Huskie.

Losing the two freshmen and senior Mandy Swick to graduation, the Huskies are looking to regroup quickly.

Signing a pair of prep stars, Martinsvile, Ind., native Daren Poe and 6-foot-1 left side performer Tera Lobdell, the Huskies continue to bring in young talent.

Not losing a step, the return of injury-prone middle blocker Sara Lein also will boost the Huskies. According to Kress, Lein is only at 70 percent but improving.

With Lein finally able to hook up with sophomore-to-be Jenny Bowman in game action next year, things could be interesting for the Huskies.

Bowman, who was selected as the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the year, also ended the season as the Mideast Region Freshman of the Year (an honor which also includes Big Ten schools), which put her among the top eight freshmen in the nation.

With the players put on a 10-week summer program for conditioning, they come back for their first practice Aug. 10 to try and out-do the high standards they set a year ago.

“If we stay healthy and focused, I think we’ll have a better year then last season,” Kress said. “I think we are on pace to have a very exciting season.”