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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 graduate student right side hitter Isabelle Percoco leaps to make a play on the ball during the Huskies’ Sept. 29 against the Miami University RedHawks at Victor E. Court. NIU will return home for a pair of Homecoming match on Thursday and Friday against Eastern Michigan University. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Volleyball to host Eastern Michigan in Homecoming home stand

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

With its six-game gauntlet against Ohio-based opponents now in the rear-view mirror, the NIU volleyball team has its sights set on a triumphant homecoming to ring in NIU’s 116th Homecoming.  “Everyone’s excited to be back home,” said NIU volleyball...

From left: Graduate outside hitter Katie Erdmann, junior libero Crew Hoffmeier, junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic, junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo, senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes and senior setter Ella Mihacevich celebrate after a rally during a MAC volleyball match between the NIU Huskies and the Miami University RedHawks on Sept. 29 at Victor E. Court. NIU is looking to build on its newfound confidence after recent wins. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Volleyball finding its groove

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

NIU volleyball is back home from its final Ohio road trip this season. With them, the Huskies brought a road conference victory and indicators of an upward trend within the program. FAST STARTS NIU took the opening set in each of its matchups with...

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann serves during NIU volleyball’s home opener against Chicago State University on Aug. 25 in the NIU Convocation Center. Erdmann led the Huskies with 11 kills in a 3-0 sweep of Kent State University on Friday in Kent, Ohio. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Volleyball routs Golden Flashes, splits Ohio road trip

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 6, 2023

Within the confines of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center in Kent, Ohio, the lyrics of Big Sean’s “Bounce Back” resonated through the visitors’ locker room after a redeeming win. One verse best captured the essence of a weekend performance...

Both teams gather as Northern Illinois University scores the point at The Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio, on Oct. 5, 2023. Photo provided by The Post (Joe Hallquist) October 5, 2023.

Streak snapped: Volleyball falls in 4 to Ohio

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

NIU volleyball displayed a first-set performance rife with discipline and efficiency, all put together to reward NIU with its first set win over Ohio University in nearly four years. From there, the game went downhill for the Huskies (5-12, 3-2 MAC)...

From left: Junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic, sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt and graduate right side hitter Isabelle Percoco react at the end of a rally during the Huskies’ season-opener versus the Chicago State University Cougars. The Huskies are set to play two matches in Ohio to continue MAC play. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Huskies head east for Buckeye State battles

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

Complacency is defined by Merriam-Webster as a “self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.” Complacency is the dangerous attitude the NIU volleyball team aims to keep at bay ahead of its upcoming...

NIU volleyball embraces Anya Hopkins as one of their own teammates. Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus highlights Hopkins' time as an honorary member of the NIU volleyball team. (Christa Kim | Northern Star)

Chicagoland teen brings new purpose to NIU volleyball

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 1, 2023

Hardworking, humble, sweet, fun, energetic. Those are just some adjectives used by NIU volleyball players to describe Anya Hopkins at an Aug. 26 press conference at Victor E. Court. The full rank and file of NIU volleyball watched as Hopkins was...

From left: Graduate outside hitter Katie Erdmann, junior setter Sophie Hurt, junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo, graduate student outside hitter Isabelle Percoco, junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic and sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt switch sides after winning the second set of Saturday's volleyball match between NIU and Miami University at Victor E. Court. The Huskies defeated the RedHawks to complete a weekend sweep of Miami. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Volleyball routs Miami, moves to 3-games unbeaten

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

DeKALB – NIU volleyball remains undefeated in the confines of Victor E. Court after a series-ending performance that saw the Huskies firing on all cylinders. The Huskies (5-11, 3-1 MAC) slammed the door on the visiting Miami University RedHawks (4-12,...

Junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic rises up to spike a ball against Miami University at Victor E. Court. The Huskies defeated the RedHawks 3-2 on Friday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Huskies ground RedHawks for first home win

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 29, 2023

DeKALB – Victor E. Court was overtaken Friday by glimmering lights, the iconic tune of the Huskie Fight Song and deafening cheers, all indicative of one result: an NIU volleyball win. NIU junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo pounced on match point...

Junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo serves the ball during NIU’s season-opener against the Chicago State University Cougars on Aug. 25 at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies are set to play in Victor E. Court for the first time this season Friday against the Miami University RedHawks. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

Huskies to host RedHawks in MAC home opener

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

The NIU volleyball team is slated to make its long-awaited homecoming this weekend after spending the past month battling on the road. NIU (3-11, 1-1 MAC) will host the Miami University RedHawks (4-10, 0-2 MAC) at Victor E. Court on Friday and Saturday....

Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier (1) celebrates after a rally during NIU's home volleyball match against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini on Aug. 26 at the NIU Convocation Center. Hoffmeier is in her first season as NIU's starting libero and has produced dig averages that rank among the best in the MAC and the nation. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

Hoffmeier igniting NIU’s fire

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 26, 2023

NIU junior libero Crew Hoffmeier has a reputation for bringing fire to a volleyball court, enough of it to energize her team and sometimes a bit left over to burn through her own shoelaces. When Hoffmeier goes to make a diving play on the court, the...

NIU graduate student right side hitter Isabelle Percoco celebrates after a rally in the Huskies’ season-opener against Chicago State University on Aug. 25 at the NIU Convocation Center. NIU split its recent away series against Bowling Green State University on Thursday and Friday to begin MAC play at .500. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Volleyball may have found its spark

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 25, 2023

NIU volleyball’s non-conference schedule began with a 1-3 start to mark the beginning of a new era. After just two matches against conference competition, the Huskies have set themselves up for the opportunity to flip the script and roll to a 3-1 start...

NIU graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann serves the ball during NIU's Sept. 15 match against the University of Dayton Flyers at the UNI Tournament. Erdmann recorded a double-double in both of the Huskies' matches against Bowling Green State University on Thursday and Friday. (Logan Colglaizer | UNI Athletics)

Huskies survive 5-set firefight in Bowling Green

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 22, 2023

In the thick of a MACtion showdown that began with a lopsided opening set and ended in a five-set thriller, the NIU volleyball team engineered its best in-game turnaround of the season to claim its first MAC victory. NIU (3-11, 1-1 MAC) outlasted Bowling...