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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

Redshirt freshman forward Brooke Blumenfeld shoots a fadeaway over a Lindenwood University defender on Nov. 21, 2023. Blumenfeld scored 10 points off the bench in a 65-58 loss to the University at Buffalo on Wednesday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball outlasted by Bulls, begins losing streak

By Lucas Didier, Assistant Sports Editor | January 18, 2024

DeKALB – NIU women’s basketball (8-8, 2-3 MAC) fell late to the University at Buffalo (9-6, 3-2 MAC) by a score of 65-58 to begin its third losing streak of the season. Senior forward Brooke Stonebraker led the team with 12 points and 10 rebounds....

Then-sophomore Emmalise Nock poses during her floor routine at an NIU gymnastics home meet on Feb. 17, 2023 at the Convocation Center. Nock tied for second place with NIU freshman Mikayla Brown on the floor exercise event to lead the Huskies to a victory over Bowling Green State University on Saturday. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Gymnastics grounds Falcons in MAC opener

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | January 14, 2024

Six different Huskies earned podium finishes as NIU gymnastics earned its first victory of the season in the first meet of its MAC competition schedule. NIU (1-2-1) outperformed conference rival Bowling Green State University (0-2) on three of four...

Then-sophomore gymnast Isabella Sissi completes her floor performance at the Huskies’ Beauty and the Beast meet at the NIU Convocation Center on Feb. 4, 2023. Sissi and the Huskies are set to face Bowling Green State University on Saturday. (Cheyanne Quintanilla | Northern Star)

Gymnastics eyes bounceback at Bowling Green

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | January 13, 2024

DeKALB – After a lackluster start to a campaign with MAC Championship aspirations, NIU gymnastics looks to bounce back heading into its second test of the season. NIU (0-2-1) will make the eastward trek to Bowling Green, Ohio, for a dual meet with...

Then-junior gymnast Alyssa Al-Ashari poses during her beam routine in a home meet against Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 17, 2023. Al-Ashari placed fourth on beam at the Mizzou Invitational on Saturday. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Gymnastics ties for third at Mizzou Invitational

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | January 7, 2024

NIU gymnastics tumbled and stumbled to begin the new season after tying for last in its first showcase of 2024 and posting its worst team score in a season-opener since 2018. The Huskies scored 192.755 as a team, tying with Southeast Missouri State...

Then-junior gymnast Alyssa Al-Ashari started her beam routine at the EMU gymnastics meet on Feb. 17. The Huskies kick off the 2024 season at the Missouri Quad Meet Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

‘In attack mode’: Gymnastics readies for trip to No. 12 Mizzou

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | January 5, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU gymnastics team is on the road and ready to rise to its first challenge of the new campaign: a quad meet hosted by a top-15 program. The Huskies, coming off an 8-5 finish in 2023, kick off their season Saturday at the Mizzou Invitational...

NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes attacks during the Huskies’ home conference match against Eastern Michigan University Oct. 13 at Victor E. Court. Dykes entered the transfer portal Sunday after starting 23 matches for NIU in 2023. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball’s Emily Dykes enters transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 14, 2023

DeKALB — Two seasons after arriving at NIU volleyball as a transfer, senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes has entered the transfer portal for the second time in her career, according to a post by College Volleyball Transfers on X, formerly known...

Senior guard Jayden Marable dribbles toward the hoop during NIU womens basketballs game against Lindenwood Nov. 21. The Huskies downed Detroit Mercy by a final score of 75-66 Sunday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Titanfall: Women’s basketball downs Detroit Mercy in return home

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 10, 2023

DeKALB – A selfless team effort and stingy second-half defense by the NIU women’s basketball team Sunday took down a team of Titans. The Huskies (4-5) toppled the University of Detroit Mercy Titans (7-4) 75-66 at the NIU Convocation Center. NIU’s...

NIU womens basketball teams huddled together to celebrate after Tuesdays match against Lindenwood University. Though viewership has steadily increased, womens sports deserve more coverage. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Women’s sports coverage needs change

By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | December 7, 2023

Even when history is made, women’s sports still fall into the shadow of their counterparts in men’s sports. The 2023 WNBA Finals were the most watched finals for women’s basketball in 20 years, averaging 728,000 views throughout the entire tournament....

Freshman Arianna Calloway sits in front of a gray background. Calloway earned MAC Womens Field Athlete of the Week after breaking NIUs high jump record. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Calloway earns MAC honor after record-breaking performance

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | December 7, 2023

After setting an NIU school record in the high jump in her first collegiate competition, freshman Arianna Calloway was named the MAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week on Wednesday. Clearing 1.80 meters, Calloway secured first place in a tie-breaker...

The NIU womens basketball team celebrates following its victory over Lindenwood University on Nov. 21. The Huskies fell to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 89-79 on Sunday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Women’s basketball outpaced by SIUE, loses second straight

By Lucas Didier, Sports Reporter | December 3, 2023

NIU women’s basketball (3-5) could not keep up with the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars (2-7), failing to take a single lead in a 89-79 loss. The Cougars came out of the gate flying up and down the court, racking up 20 points just...

A graphic shows the dates for this week in Huskie sports. NIU mens basketball, womens basketball, and hockeys home matchups headline NIU sports events this upcoming week. (Ria Pathak | Northern Star)

4 home matchups highlight this week in Huskie sports

By Northern Star Sports Staff | December 3, 2023

DeKALB – NIU Hockey’s matchup with top-5 ranked University of Mary and men’s and women’s basketball’s home slate headlines a light week in NIU sports. MEN’S BASKETBALL Tuesday, Dec. 5: vs. Indiana State University, 7 p.m. DeKalb /...

Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier serves the ball during a Nov. 11 match against Ball State University at John E. Worthen Arena in Muncie, Indiana. NIU volleyball finished its 2023 campaign with a final record of 8-22, a record that Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus believes doesnt define the team and its future. (Amber Pietz | Ball State Creative Services)

COLUMN: Volleyball played better than its record

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | November 30, 2023

With NIU volleyball’s 2023 campaign now over and a 22-loss season in the books, the Sondra Parys coaching era at NIU is off to a solid start. Before anyone begins questioning my sobriety, know that I’m not blind to the results from this past season. Yes,...