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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Men’s soccer bitten by Wildcats on road

By Sean Connor | September 26, 2002

The NIU men’s soccer team lost 2-0 to the Northwestern Wildcats Wednesday in a lackluster performance. "We just weren’t focused, especially in the first half," assistant coach Karsten Roy said. "On the first goal, we didn’t cover up defensively...

NIU drops MAC opener

By Jason Watt | September 26, 2002

For the second straight season, the Huskies’ volleyball team dropped its season-opening conference match. NIU lost to Ball State University Wednesday at Victor E. Court in four games; 31-33, 30-28, 24-30 and 27-30. The 121 points scored by the Cardinals...

Errors prove to be Huskies’ demise

By Adam Zolmierski | September 26, 2002

Mistakes were at an abundance for the NIU volleyball team as it lost to Ball State at home for the first time since 1989. Not only did the Huskies commit 30 attack errors, they also had 11 ball handling errors, eight service errors, seven blocking errors...

NIU men’s soccer heads to Northwestern

By Sean Connor | September 25, 2002

Winning its last two games on the road, the NIU men’s soccer team looks to make it three today when it faces host Northwestern University at 4 p.m. The Wildcats (3-4-0) have managed to tie the Huskies once in their last 15 meetings. Outside of last...

NIU opens MAC play against Ball State

By Adam Zolmierski | September 25, 2002

NIU outside hitter Tera Lobdell remembers the last time the Huskies played Ball State University. It was the MAC Championship and Lobdell contributed 19 kills to propel NIU to the MAC crown. The Huskies and Cardinals will kick off conference play at 7...

Turner honored for big game

By Mark Pickrel | September 25, 2002

Michael Turner had a night to remember on Saturday against Western Illinois University. The junior running back’s 282 yards marked the top single game rushing performance in college football this season. Turner was rewarded for his performance Monday...

Taking the fall

By Frank Rusnak | September 24, 2002

As I sit on press row at the Convocation Center and watch the women’s volleyball games, I am amazed.

How do they put the players put their bodies through so much every game?

The answer to that isn’t a difficult one. It all comes down to dedication and mental toughness, which are needed in every sport.

"It takes toughness to play this sport," NIU libero Melissa Benson said. "You need that in any sport. Volleyball isn’t as easy as people think it is. Motivation from yourself and your teammates is what keeps you going."

In my opinion, Benson and other back row players put themselves through the most.

These players have a role on the team to basically save any ball by diving or lunging toward it with only the protection of a pair of kneepads.

And what do these players have to show for their hard work?

Floor burns, bumps and bruises.

"We get banged up and bruised a lot," Benson said. "The ankles, knees and shoulders are where most of the injuries affect."

Through her years of playing volleyball, Benson has hyperextended her wrist, pulled an occasional muscle, had shin splints and tendinitis in both knees.

She says the constant pressure takes a toll on the body and that front row players on the team usually suffer from injured shoulders and knees.

Outside hitter Tera Lobdell was forced to sit out four matches this season after she landed on a teammate’s foot in practice and sprained her left knee.

An occasional concussion is also within the realm of possibility. Last season NIU lost one of its defensive specialist/back row players to numerous concussions. And this season Shara Parker and Jenny Rohren have experienced slight concussions of their own.

Now do these injuries seem different from any other sport? No. But did anyone actually think that volleyball players were susceptible to taking such a beating? I didn’t until I covered my first game last year.

"People have run into one another out there," NIU coach Ray Gooden said. "I’ve seen players get injured that way, but there are a lot of different aspects to setting up plays on a serve and on an attack that the players don’t really think about it when they are out there."

Volleyball is like any other sport. Injuries take place. And sometimes we as spectators sit back and wonder why athletes put themselves through so much.

Over the past two seasons I have seen players take the court with knee braces. I have seen some enter the gym with their wrists’ wrapped. I have even witnessed a player play days after suffering a concussion. Not to mention the handful of times I’ve seen the players walking around with their knees iced up.

It all comes down to dedication and winning. A little over a year after watching my first volleyball match, I have come to the conclusion that the players know that most injuries will heal, but pride sticks forever.

WIU shoots down Huskies

By Frank Rusnak | September 23, 2002

It was one of Western Illinois coach Don Patterson’s best games, but NIU coach Joe Novak can’t say the same. WIU (3-0) took down the host Huskies (1-3) 29-26 Saturday night in front of 23,598 fans. The Leathernecks extended their win streak to four...

Men’s soccer comes away with weekend split

By Sean Connor | September 23, 2002

Willy Roy and the NIU men’s soccer team kept the undefeated streak against Western Illinois University alive Friday with a 1-0 win over the host Leathernecks. Roy’s teams have won all nine meetings between the teams since he began coaching at NIU....

Turner racks up 282 yards in losing cause

By Marc Marin | September 23, 2002

Two hundred eighty-two rushing yards and three touchdowns weren’t good enough for NIU tailback Michael Turner Saturday night at Huskie Stadium. In the Huskies’ 29-26 loss to Western Illinois, Turner put up the fourth-best rushing day in the history...

No. 21 Michigan State too much for NIU volleyball

By Jason Watt | September 23, 2002

Michigan State University helped the NIU volleyball team get some more rest as it sent the Huskies packing back to DeKalb in three games Friday night. NIU (7-4) lost 20-30, 25-30 and 19-30 in East Lansing. "At times we played some good volleyball, but...

WIU comes calling

By Sean Connor | September 20, 2002

The NIU men’s soccer team faces tough competition this weekend starting today when it battles host Western Illinois University at 4 p.m. WIU (2-4) has yet to win at home this season. There should be no cause for concern as coach Willy Roy has not lost...

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