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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

Volleyball assistant Davidson bids farewell to NIU

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 14, 2023
"Joe" Davidson, the second-in-command to former NIU volleyball head coach Ray Gooden, says goodbye to Huskie country.
NIU President Lisa Freeman, NIU volleyball head coach Sondra Parys and NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier hold an NIU volleyball jersey bearing the No. 7, representing Parys' status as the Huskies' seventh head coach in program history. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

NIU welcomes Sondra Parys to Huskie country

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 12, 2023

DeKALB – Standing at the podium in front of the crowd gathered at Victor E. Court during her first appearance as the new head coach of NIU volleyball on Tuesday, Sondra Parys shared a brief moment with her father, Joe. “I know you’ve always wanted...

Sophomore libero Francesca Bertucci serves during NIU's Mid-American Conference opener against the University of Akron Zips on Sept. 23. The Huskies earned their first win of league play after beating Akron 3-0. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

NIU 2022 digs leader Bertucci transfers to Bama

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 9, 2023

DeKALB – The 2022 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year is SEC-bound after NIU volleyball libero Francesca Bertucci announced her commitment to the University of Alabama Sunday. Bertucci, who will be a junior in 2023, made the...

Former Loyola University Chicago assistant coach Sondra Parys was hired to lead NIU's volleyball program Thursday. (Loyola Chicago Athletics)

NIU tabs Sondra Parys to lead Huskie volleyball

By Northern Star Sports Staff | December 15, 2022
NIU Athletics has hired former Loyola Chicago assistant coach Sondra Parys to take the reins of its volleyball program.
NIU head volleyball coach Ray Gooden speaks with sophomore libero Francesca Bertucci between rallies in the Huskies’ first regular season game against the New Jersey Institute of Technology on Aug. 26. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Ray Gooden out as head coach of NIU volleyball

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 18, 2022

DeKALB – Ray Gooden will no longer serve as NIU's head volleyball coach after NIU Athletics announced it will not renew Gooden’s contract, NIU’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean Frazier announced Friday. Gooden’s NIU career...

NIU junior right side hitter Emily Dykes attacks the ball over the net during Wedneday's Mid-American Confernec matchup between NIU and Western Michigan University at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dykes totaled 10 kills in the match as NIU lost in five sets, ending their chances of playing in the 2022 Mid-American Conference Tournament. (Courtesy WMU Athletics)

NIU’s playoff hopes spoiled by Broncos in regular season finale

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 16, 2022

DeKALB – NIU volleyball’s 2022 season is officially in the books after losing its chance to play in the postseason thanks to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Western Michigan University Broncos on Wednesday in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Huskies entered...

Katie Jablonski (Left) and Francesca Bertucci high fiving before the team’s Saturday game against CMU. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Jablonski, Mihacevich reach career milestones during Ypsi road trip

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 12, 2022

DeKALB – NIU volleyball is on cusp of a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth after registering back-to-back wins over Eastern Michigan University in its final weekend series of the regular season. The Huskies (17-10, 10-7 MAC) won each of their...

Senior outside hitter Katie Jablonski has earned her first Huskie of the Week honor following one of her final weekends playing volleyball for the NIU Huskies. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Huskie of the Week: Katie Jablonski

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 7, 2022

DeKALB – A 23-kill weekend performance by senior outside hitter Katie Jablonski from NIU volleyball has earned her the title of the Northern Star’s Huskie of the Week. Jablonski led the Huskie offense during Saturday’s 3-0 victory over the Central...

Bertucci bags third MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honor

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 7, 2022
NIU volleyball's bump squad leader has raked in her third weekly conference honor of her sophomore season after reaching a career milestone.
Senior outside hitter Brianna Scuric, sophomore libero Francesca Bertucci, senior outside hitter Katie Jablonski, sophomore middle blocker Charli Atiemo, sophomore right back Sophie Hurt and junior right side hitter Emily Dykes huddle between rallies during NIU's 3-0 win over Central Michigan University on Saturday at Victor E. Court. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Huskies force split with Chips in Senior Day showdown

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 5, 2022

DeKALB – NIU volleyball successfully defended Victor E. Court Saturday, delivering a three-set sweep to the Central Michigan University Chippewas in the Huskies’ final home stand of 2022. The Huskies (15-10, 8-7 MAC) split their two-match weekend...

From left: Freshman middle blocker Sarah Lezon, sophomore defensive specialist Jada Cerniglia, senior outside hitters Kaitlyn Bell, Brianna Scuric and freshman outside hitter Nazli Güvener cheer from courtside during NIU volleyball's match against Central Michigan University on Friday. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Volleyball veterans fighting to finish on top

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 5, 2022

Senior outside hitters Brianna “Bina” Scuric and Kaitlyn “Kat” Bell, the two longest-tenured players on NIU volleyball’s roster, are working to make a late-season push to end their college careers with a bang. Scuric and Bell are near the...