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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

NIU women’s volleyball team waves to fans after Friday's match against Miami University (Ohio). The women’s volleyball team defeated Miami in three sets. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Volleyball defense dominates in NIU shutout of Eagles

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

DeKALB – “Monster block, monster block, monster, monster, monster block.” Those were the lyrics heard from the speakers at Victor E. Court time and time again as NIU volleyball’s front row wreaked havoc on opposing hitters during Thursday’s...

 Lea Gruennagel (11), a junior defender, runs around an opponent from Miami University to get the ball during Sunday’s game. (Josephine Dunmore | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer drops chippy contest to Buffalo

By Lucas Didier, Former Sports Editor | October 12, 2023

DeKALB – NIU women’s soccer (5-6-3, 3-3-1 MAC) were out-shot 11-6 as they fell to the University at Buffalo Bulls (6-3-5, 3-2-2 MAC) by a score of 2-0. Thursday’s loss marked the end of the Huskies’ three-game win streak. NIU women’s soccer...

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...

Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sadie McGill jumps to save a Miami University shot attempt on Sunday. McGill was named the MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

McGill earns MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 10, 2023

DeKALB – Redshirt senior goalkeeper Sadie McGill was named the MAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday after leading the Huskies to two clean sheet victories. McGill has recorded seven saves, two shutout victories, and zero allowed goals in...

Graduate forward Sahara Zingano (22) speeds toward the Toledo goal with control of the ball. On Sept. 24, the Huskies tied with Toledo 1-1. (Melody Elbel | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer extends win streak in third consecutive shutout

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 8, 2023

DeKALB – Graduate student forward Sahara Zingano played hero for NIU women’s soccer on Sunday as she scored the lone goal of a 1-0 senior day victory over Miami University. Zingano scored on a penalty kick in the 50th minute, a goal that pushed...

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)...

Freshman forward Tyra King (5) heads the ball toward sophomore defender Angelina Briggs (9) and senior defender Abby Adams during the Huskies' Sunday game against Toledo. On Sunday, the Huskies tied with Toledo 1-1. (Melody Elbel | Northern Star)

Huskies win second straight in shutout of Eastern Michigan

By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | October 5, 2023

The Huskies found success in a 2-0 shutout win against Eastern Michigan University, extending their win streak to two games. With the win, NIU improved to 2-2-1 in conference, good for seventh place in the MAC. Eastern Michigan fell to ninth in the...

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...

Freshman forward Tyra King (5) dribbles the soccer ball down the field as three Toledo defenders run to try and block King from reaching the goal on Thursday. (Melody Elbel | Northern Star)

Women’s soccer zips past Akron, ends winless streak

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | October 2, 2023

One goal in the 78th minute was all it took for NIU women’s soccer to end its seven-game winless streak and secure its first MAC win. Junior forward Reegan Kingpavong was the hero for the Huskies on Sunday, as her lone goal of the 2023 season lifted...

Women’s tennis shines at Hoosier Invitational

By Kalin Schaefer, Assistant Sports Editor | October 2, 2023

Winning 18 matches in its opening weekend at the Hoosier Invitational, the NIU women’s tennis team finished the weekend in Indiana with an 18-10 record between doubles and singles matches.  Competing over three days, NIU faced opponents from around...

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...