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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Head coach Ray Gooden coaches his team from the sidelines during a match on Sept. 18 at Victor E. Court. Gooden has coached at NIU for 20 years.

Gooden reflects on 20 years at NIU

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 25, 2021

NIU head volleyball coach Ray Gooden is entering his 20th season with the program, leaving his mark at the university even though his journey here is still ongoing. Gooden is the NIU program’s all-time leader in wins with 333 and second amongst active...

The volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point against Toledo on Oct. 22.

Huskies split weekend series with Rockets

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 23, 2021

DeKALB — The NIU volleyball team was swept in straight sets in the second of back-to-back matches against the University of Toledo Rockets Saturday. “The team struggled with being a team,” freshman middle blocker Charli Atiemo said. “When we...

The volleyball team celebrates after scoring a point against Toledo on Oct. 22.

NIU bests Toledo to open weekend

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 22, 2021

DeKALB — The women’s volleyball team took home a victory against the conference rival University of Toledo Rockets, winning 3-1 in front of their home crowd Friday. The first set got off to a back-and-forth start with a score of 10-10 early on....

Senior setter Grace Balensiefer goes for a spike against Air Force on Aug. 28. Balensiefer averages 10.8 assists a set this season.

COLUMN: Huskie volleyball needs to find consistency

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 21, 2021

The NIU volleyball team is halfway through their season and are sitting right in the mix to compete for the Mid-American Conference championship, but a strong finish to the season is just what they need. At the halfway point in the season, the Huskies...

The volleyball team huddles during the first set of their matchup on Sept. 18 against Wisconsin.

Ball State complete weekend sweep of volleyball

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter | October 16, 2021

DeKALB—The NIU volleyball team could not win a set during its two-game road trip against the Ball State University Cardinals, losing Saturday 3-0.  The Huskies got off to a good start in the first set with back-to-back kills from junior outside...

Head volleyball coach Ray Gooden coaches on his team during a Sept. 18 game against Wisconsin at Victor E. Court.

Huskies lose to Ball State in three

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 15, 2021

DeKALB — The NIU volleyball team faced off against a tough opponent in the Ball State University Cardinals and lost in straight sets 3-0 moving the Huskies’ record to 9-9 overall.  The first set saw Ball State get off to an early lead with a score...

Freshman middle blocker Charli Atiemo (middle) leaps to perform a spike against Wisconsin on Sept. 18 at Victor E. Court.

Atiemo adjusting fast to college, NIU

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 14, 2021

In just her first year, freshman middle blocker Charli Atiemo has already become one of the key players on the NIU volleyball roster.  Every athlete has that moment where they find that love for the game they play. Atiemo’s spark came from her mother,...

Freshman middle blocker Charli Atiemo sets to spike against Wisconsin on Sept. 18 at Victor E. Court.

Volleyball rallies against Miami-OH

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Reporter | October 9, 2021

DeKALB — NIU volleyball snapped a two-game losing streak Saturday, beating the University of Miami-Ohio Redhawks in a thrilling comeback victory.  The Huskies came out slow in the first set, dropping into a quick 10-5 deficit after the Redhawks...

Head volleyball coach Ray Gooden coaches on his team during a Sept. 18 game against Wisconsin at Victor E. Court.

Falcons sweep Huskies in straight sets

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 8, 2021

DeKALB — The Huskies struggled against the Bowling Green State University Friday night and never won a set, losing 3-0. In the first set, Bowling Green got off to an early lead with a score of 10-6. NIU was never ever able to take the lead and lost...

Junior outside hitter Katie Jablonski (right) attempts to spike the ball over a a wall of Air Force players in the Huskies 3-0 win at Victor E. Court on Aug. 28.

Jablonski finding her voice at NIU

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Reporter | October 5, 2021

DeKALB — Everyone wants to be somewhere in life where they are comfortable being themselves. For junior outside hitter Katie Jablonski, she can express the best parts of herself without holding back here at NIU.  Jablonski is currently in her second...

Junior outside hitter Katie Jablonski (right) attempts to spike the ball over a a wall of Air Force players in the Huskies 3-0 win at Victor E. Court on Aug. 28.

NIU split weekend games with EMU

By Waleed Alamieh, Sports Reporter | October 3, 2021

DeKALB — The NIU women’s volleyball team split their two game series with the Eastern Michigan University Eagles after losing Saturday 3-2.  The Huskies came out the gates a little slow to start the first set. Junior outside hitter Katie Jablonski...

Freshman middle blocker Charli Atiemo attempts a spike against Western Illinois on the morning of Aug. 27 at Victor E. Court.

Volleyball opens weekend with win

By Carlos Finney Jr., Sports Reporter | October 1, 2021

DeKALB — Volleyball won their first game of two homecoming games they have this weekend, defeating the Eastern Michigan University Eagles in four sets 3-1. In the first set, the Huskies got off to a quick 10-5 lead. They would not lose control at...