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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

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann digs a ball during a home match against the University of Illinois on Aug. 26 at the NIU Convocation Center in DeKalb. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: A win’s a start, but more work to be done

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 4, 2023

The NIU volleyball team has returned from its first road trip of the season, bringing back something they left home without: a win. As great as that first win is, especially since it’s the first for its first-year head coach, areas for improvement...

Davidson College sophomore outside hitter Jackie Bardin attacks over the net against NIU graduate student right side hitter Isabelle Percoco and sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt during Saturday’s match at John M. Belk Arena in Davidson, North Carolina. The Huskies lost the match 3-1 for their first road defeat. (Tim Cowie | Davidson Athletics)

Huskies fall flat in road opener finale

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 2, 2023

As the saying goes, “all good things must come to an end.” For NIU volleyball, that end came sooner than the Huskies might have hoped. NIU – fresh off its first win of the season Friday – was snuffed out on the final day of the Wildcat Classic...

NIU volleyball head coach Sondra Parys talks with her team courtside during the Huskies' season-opening match against Chicago State University on Aug. 25 at the NIU Convocation Center. Parys earned her first win as an NCAA Division I head coach Friday, a 3-2 victory over the University of North Carolina Wilmington. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball’s Sondra Parys bags first win as head coach

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

Four matches into her first season leading NIU volleyball, first-year head coach Sondra Parys has reached the first major milestone in her young coaching career: her first win. The Huskies outlasted the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks...

Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier records a dig  against Chicago State University Friday. The Huskies fell to the Cougars 3-2. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball seeks redemption in North Carolina

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 31, 2023

DeKALB – In the midst of a win drought after opening weekend, the Huskies are off to the East Coast for their next chance at satisfying their thirst for victory. The Huskies, still pursuing their first win, travel to North Carolina to play in the...

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann, junior libero Crew Hoffmeier, junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo, sophomore defensive specialist Olivia Hogan, junior defensive specialist Jada Cerniglia and senior setter Ella Mihacevich celebrate after a rally during Friday’s season-opening match against Chicago State University at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies were defeated 3-2. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball eyes success under new leadership

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

The new age of NIU volleyball begins with an abundance of ‘news’: new coaches, new players, new jerseys, new foes and even a new live mascot. With three matches under their belt, the 2023 Huskies have entered the thick of a regular season that...

Savanah Brandt (18) jumping up to block a University of Illinois attack on Saturday. The Huskies fell to the Illini 3-1 in day 2 of the Huskie Invitational. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

COLUMN: Volleyball fought through fire, hope remains

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

DeKALB – The first showing of the 2023 edition of NIU volleyball hasn’t delivered in the win-loss record, but plenty of volleyball is left to be played for the Huskies to prove their worth. Hosting two opponents at the NIU Convocation Center across...

NIU junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo spikes the ball over the net during Saturday's matchup against University of Illinois. The Huskies dropped the match by a set score of 3-1. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball dazed in rematch with Cougars

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – Seeking its first win and a bit of vengeance, NIU volleyball was forcefully rebuffed by a familiar foe and remains winless to start 2023. The winless Huskies were plagued by the offensive onslaught dealt by visiting Chicago State University...

Senior setter Ella Mihacevich rises up to hit the volleyball in a Saturday matchup against the University of Illinois. (Scott Walstrom | Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Volleyball begins Parys’ era winless

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – The debut of NIU volleyball’s first-year head coach Sondra Parys has come and gone, and the Huskies remain winless to begin the tenure of their new leader. More than nine months after missing out on a MAC Tournament bid by four tiebreakers...

Outside hitter Katie Jablonski (center) and middle blocker Sammi Lockwood attempt to block an attack from Ball State's opposite hitter Natalie Mitchem during NIU volleyball's Friday night match at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball will host four training camps in July. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU volleyball to host 4 camps in July

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | April 20, 2023

DeKALB-  NIU volleyball is set to host multiple volleyball camps this July. The camp is designed to instill and improve a multitude of different skills. NIU will host four separate camps: serving, skills, elite and team.   SERVING CAMP The serving...

Former Divison II volleyball head coach joins Huskies staff

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | March 9, 2023

NIU women’s volleyball head coach Sondra Parys announced Thursday that Ross Kessler will be joining the volleyball staff. Kessler has over 18 years of coaching experience. His recent stint as head coach was at Divison II Newberry College in South...

NIU volleyball adds assistant coach Mackenzie Rombach

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | February 16, 2023

DeKALB – NIU women’s volleyball head coach Sondra Parys announced Thursday that the Huskies’ coaching staff is adding Mackenzie Rombach as an assistant coach. Rombach previously spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Jacksonville...

Middle blocker Savanah Brandt joins NIU volleyball as its first addition under new head coach Sondra Parys (Courtesy Belmont Athletics)

NIU volleyball adds Belmont transfer Savanah Brandt

By Northern Star Sports Staff | January 25, 2023

DeKALB – Sondra Parys, the newly-hired head coach of NIU volleyball, has made her first addition to the team’s roster as the program announced the signing of Savanah Brandt on Tuesday. Brandt, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, will join the Huskies as...