Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

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...

NIU women's basketball team huddled in a circle before the game on Feb. 18, 2023 against Ball State.  The Huskies defeated the University of Central Michigan on Saturday by a final score of 70- 57. (Northern Star file photo)

Women’s basketball prepped for 2023-2024 campaign

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | November 2, 2023

DeKALB – Head coach Lisa Carlsen and NIU women’s basketball are gearing up for the 2023-2024 season with fifth-year guard Chelby Koker leading the pack.  After clinching last year’s MAC tournament, the Huskies are driven behind their experience...

Fifth year guard Chelby Koker (10) advances the ball down court past Kent State University junior guard Casey Santoro (0) on Jan. 25.  Koker racked up 21 points throughout the game at the NIU Convocation Center. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Koker earns preseason All-MAC First Team honors

By Lucas Didier, Former Sports Editor | November 2, 2023

For the second consecutive season, fifth-year guard Chelby Koker has been named to the preseason All-MAC First Team for women’s basketball through the coaches’ poll. Koker finished last season with 15.4 points per game and 3.4 assists per game,...

Graduate student forward Sahara Zingano dribbles the ball past Kent State University defenders. The Huskies were defeated by the Golden Flashes in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament on Sunday. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

Women’s soccer shutout in quarterfinals of MAC Tournament

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 29, 2023

NIU women’s soccer was shut out 3-0 by Kent State University in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament to end the Huskies’ 2023 season. Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sadie McGill struggled to keep the Golden Flash offensive attack at bay, conceding...

Junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic spikes a ball against the University at Buffalo on Saturday. The Huskies fell to the Bulls in four sets. (Sasha Norman | Northern Star)

Volleyball messes with Bulls, gets the horns

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

DeKALB – The NIU volleyball team’s valiant efforts in the final two sets of Saturday’s MAC duel weren’t enough to survive the offensive onslaught inflicted by its visitors. The Huskies (8-17, 6-7 MAC) plummeted to No. 9 in the MAC standings...

Senior Julia Finegan runs at the Western Illinois Invitational cross country meet on Sept. 1. The Huskies finished the event tied for second place. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Two Huskies PR, cross country takes 11th

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 28, 2023

DeKALB – Graduate student runner Emma Planck and senior Julia Finegan paced five other Huskies participants as NIU took 11th place at the MAC Championship on Saturday.  For the third consecutive season, the Huskies have finished in the bottom two...

NIU defensive specialist/libero Jada Cerniglia serves the ball during Friday’s MAC battle between the Huskies and the University of Akron Zips. NIU was undone in three sets to extend its losing streak to four matches. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball blanked by Akron in straight sets

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

DeKALB – Possession of the MAC’s final playoff seed has slipped through the grip of NIU volleyball, now fresh off its third sweep in four contests. The Huskies (8-16, 6-6 MAC) sustained their fourth-consecutive loss after falling in three sets,...

From left: Junior defensive specialist/libero Jada Cerniglia, senior setter Ella Mihacevich, junior libero Crew Hoffmeier, senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes, sophomore middle blocker Savanah Brandt and graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann rejoice after a rally in NIU's homecoming matchup with the Eastern Michigan University Eagles on Oct. 13 at Victor E. Court. The Huskies will host the University of Akron on Friday and the University at Buffalo on Saturday in hopes of remaining undefeated at Victor E. Court. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

Huskies to host Zips, Bulls in homestand

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

NIU volleyball is more than halfway through MAC play and holds a soft grip of the final playoff seed as it prepares for battle with two of the country’s best serving squads. NIU (8-15, 6-5 MAC) will play host to the University of Akron (10-12, 5-6...

Sophomore midfielder Aubrey Robertson kicks the ball away against the University at Buffalo on Oct. 12. The Huskies fell to Bowling Green State University 1-0 on Thursday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer falls in regular season finale

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 26, 2023

NIU women’s soccer ended its 2023 regular season on a sour note with a 1-0 loss to Bowling Green State University.  The Huskies have also lost their opportunity at home-field advantage for the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. A Kent State University...

NIU cross country head coach Juan Carrillo takes in the scene at an NIU event. Carrillo is in his first year as head coach of NIU cross country. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Culture shifter: The Carrillo effect on NIU cross country

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 26, 2023

11 years ago, NIU cross country head coach Juan Carrillo was immersed in a pursuit of one of the ultimate achievements in all of sports: Olympic contention.  Fast forward to the present, Carrillo has amassed a wealth of coaching experience, achieved...

NIU graduate outside hitter Katie Erdmann serves the ball during the Huskies' Oct. 13 match against Eastern Michigan University at Victor E. Court. Erdmann joined the Huskies for her final season of college volleyball this fall after spending the past four years playing at the University of Southern Mississippi and the Florida Institute of Technology. (Skyler Kisellus | Northern Star)

Third time’s the charm: Erdmann’s journey to NIU

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

Head to Victor E. Court for a Tuesday morning NIU volleyball practice. Pay close enough attention between reps, and one might be able to witness the jocular antics perpetrated by graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann. One day, Erdmann might...