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Northern Star

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes attacks during the Huskies’ home conference match against Eastern Michigan University Oct. 13 at Victor E. Court. Dykes entered the transfer portal Sunday after starting 23 matches for NIU in 2023. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball’s Emily Dykes enters transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 14, 2023

DeKALB — Two seasons after arriving at NIU volleyball as a transfer, senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes has entered the transfer portal for the second time in her career, according to a post by College Volleyball Transfers on X, formerly known...

Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier serves the ball during a Nov. 11 match against Ball State University at John E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana. NIU volleyball finished its 2023 campaign with a final record of 8-22, a record that Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus believes doesn't define the team and its future. (Amber Pietz | Ball State Creative Services)

COLUMN: Volleyball played better than its record

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 30, 2023

With NIU volleyball’s 2023 campaign now over and a 22-loss season in the books, the Sondra Parys coaching era at NIU is off to a solid start. Before anyone begins questioning my sobriety, know that I’m not blind to the results from this past season. Yes,...

NIU junior defensive specialist/libero Jada Cerniglia poses with a camera during NIU volleyball’s media day on Aug. 7. Cerniglia has established herself as a media savant at NIU after nearly three years in DeKalb. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Meet Jada Rae, NIU volleyball’s media mogul

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 28, 2023

Jada Cerniglia (pronounced chur-kneel-ia) remembers checking her phone on Oct. 13. When she opened Instagram to view @niuvolleyball’s then-recent post featuring her photo gallery of “pregame fit flicks,” her excitement couldn't be contained. “When...

A graphic shows four new signees for NIU volleyball. On Friday, NIU volleyball announced four new additions to the Huskies' roster for the 2024 season. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Volleyball inks 4 recruits to 2024 roster

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 18, 2023

DeKALB – The NIU volleyball team announced Friday the signings of four 2024 recruits to National Letters of Intent.  Middle blocker Rylea Alvin, outside hitters Ava Grevengoed, Emma McCartney and setter Ella Strausberger are set to join the Huskies’...

NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes (12) and sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt (18) team up to block over the net against the University of Akron on Oct. 27. The Huskies ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Western Michigan on Wednesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball routed by Broncos in home finale

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 16, 2023

DeKALB – Eighty-two days after the 2023 campaign got its start, the NIU volleyball team completed the season’s final act Wednesday. Cheers and whistles from the 625-person crowd permeated through Victor E. Court as two squads in very different...

NIU senior setter Ella Mihacevich (15) jumps to serve the ball during NIU volleyball's match against the University of Akron on Oct. 27. The Huskies are preparing to close out their season against first-place Western Michigan on Wednesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball to finish season against regular season champs

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 15, 2023

The Huskies are at the finish line. After 29 matches, 112 sets and 4,867 rallies worth of volleyball, NIU’s regular season finale is here. Days removed from having its postseason aspirations fizzle out, the NIU volleyball team is back home to...

Members of the NIU volleyball team huddle during Saturday’s road match at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The Huskies fell in five sets to close out their road schedule. (Bobby Ellis | Ball State Athletics)

Volleyball drops road finale

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 11, 2023

It’s Set 5 at John E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana, and NIU volleyball is on the cusp of victory in its 2023 road finale. Leading 6-3, NIU was positioned to pull off the road upset of MAC rival Ball State University, spoil the Cardinals’ Senior...

Sophomore outside hitter Nazli Güvener (17), celebrates winning a point with teammate junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic (21), during Friday's match against the University of Toledo. The Huskies were eliminated from postseason contention after their 3-1 loss to Ball State on Friday. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Volleyball thwarted in 4 at Ball State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 11, 2023

The NIU volleyball team kicked off its final road series of the regular season with a performance that extended a streak and ended dreams. Unfortunately for the Huskies, their losing streak extended and postseason dreams ended. NIU’s (8-20, 6-10...

NIU graduate student right side hitter Isabelle Percoco hits the ball during a rally in the Oct. 27 match against the University of Akron. The Huskies fell in three sets as one of their seven consecutive defeats entering Friday’s series-opener against Ball State University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball braces for Ball State battle

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 10, 2023

DeKALB – Play smarter, not harder. The four words used by NIU volleyball head coach Sondra Parys to describe the goal for her squad in preparation for its final road trip of the regular season. The Huskies (8-19, 6-9 MAC) will travel eastbound...

NIU volleyball players celebrate after NIU junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo blocks the ball against the University of Akron on Oct. 27. The Huskies were swept by the Toledo Rockets on Saturday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Toledo spoils volleyball’s Senior Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 5, 2023

DeKALB – No. 2, No. 3, No. 12 and No. 15. Those were the jersey numbers of the NIU volleyball team’s seniors the players fought for on Senior Day. The Huskies (8-19, 6-9 MAC) brought fierce fight to the match but came up short in Saturday’s...

From left: NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes (12), junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo (11) and sophomore outside hitter Nazli Güvener (17) look on during Friday’s match against the University of Toledo at Victor E. Court. The Huskies fell in four sets to the Rockets, extending their losing streak to six consecutive matches. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Huskies scorched by Rockets, lose sixth-straight

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 3, 2023

DeKALB – NIU volleyball’s struggles continue after the awaited matchup between first-year NIU volleyball head coach Sondra Parys’ Huskies and her alma mater, the University of Toledo, ended in NIU’s third consecutive home defeat. Toledo (11-14,...

Sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt (18) jumps to spike the ball over the net against the University of Akron on Oct. 27. The Huskies are looking to snap a five-game losing streak against Toledo this weekend. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies to host Rockets in final home weekend

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 3, 2023

The NIU volleyball team kicks off the final month of the regular season with its final weekend series played at Victor E. Court. NIU (8-17, 6-7 MAC) will host the University of Toledo (10-14, 8-5 MAC) on Friday and Saturday to close out its four-game...