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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
L.J. Bennett

L.J. Bennett, Sports Reporter

L.J Bennett is a senior English major, minoring in professional communications. He joined the star in February 2024 and has spent time as an opinion columnist and is now a sports reporter. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies and TV, taking part in sports like basketball and MMA, listening to music and creative writing. He plans to eventually be a best-selling fiction author.

All content by L.J. Bennett
The NIU volleyball team huddles at its bench on Nov. 8 at Victor E. Court. Despite strong individual player performances, the Huskies finished 2024 with their lowest win total in program history. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

BENNETT: Huskie volleyball fangless in 2024 campaign

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 19, 2024
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo leaps and winds up for a serve on Nov. 8 at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball lost its season finale in four sets to Miami University on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies routed by RedHawks in season finale

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 16, 2024
Senior libero Crew Hoffmeier celebrates on Nov. 8 against Bowling Green State University at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball snapped an 11-game losing streak with a win over Miami University on Friday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies clip RedHawks wings in 3 sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 15, 2024
NIU wrestling then-redshirt freshman Jacob Brya takes down Southern Illinois University Edwardsville then-redshirt freshman Eric Almarinez last season in February. The Huskies competed at the Michigan State Open on Saturday with six wrestlers reaching the podium. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU Places 6 Wrestlers on podium, 9 overall at Michigan State Open

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 10, 2024
The NIU volleyball team's back line prepares for Bowling Green State University to serve the ball on Friday. The Huskies matched up against Bowling Green again on Saturday, falling in three sets. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies Swept by Falcons in Senior Night Game

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 9, 2024
Freshman setter Ella Strausberger (2) sets up senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo for a chance at a kill. Atiemo struck her 1,000th kill Friday against Bowling Green State University and is the 23rd Huskie to ever do so. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Atiemo reaches 1000 career kills as Huskies fall to Falcons in 3 sets.

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 8, 2024
Then-redshirt freshman Tommy Bennett grapples a wrestler from Central Michigan University on Jan. 27. NIU wrestling begins its 2024-25 season on Saturday at Michigan State University for the Michigan State Open. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU wrestling looks to reach new heights in 2024-25 campaign

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 6, 2024
Junior right-side pin Alexa Hayes (12) spikes the ball for a kill on Oct. 10 at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball lost to Western Michigan University on Tuesday as the Huskies were swept for the 11th time this season. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies stamped by Broncos in 3 sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 5, 2024
Junior right-side pin Alexa Hayes (12) spikes the ball for a kill, evening the game at 16 in the second set against Kent State University. The Huskies fell in four sets against the University at Buffalo on Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Bulls trounce Huskies in 4 sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
November 3, 2024
Members of the NIU volleyball team huddle during their match against the Ball State University Cardinals on Saturday in DeKalb. The Huskies fell to the Cardinals in three sets, dropping to an overall record of 3-18. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies drop to Cardinals for the second game in a row

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 26, 2024
Freshman middle blocker Rylee Alvin (8) and junior right side Alexa Hayes (12) attempt a block on Oct. 11 at Victor E. Court. NIU volleyball was swept for the third-straight match as the Huskies lost to the Ball State University Cardinals on Friday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies dropped by Cardinals

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 26, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed (3) leaps and winds up for a spike on Oct. 10 at Victor E. Court. Grevengoed led the match with 11 kills as NIU volleyball lost in three sets to Western Michigan University on Tuesday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies stomped by Broncos in three sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 22, 2024
Senior libero Crew Hoffmeier leaps to bump the ball backward to prevent Kent State University from scoring. Hoffmeier had 9 digs against Central Michigan University on Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies muzzled by Chippewas in 3 sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 18, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed prepares to spike the ball into Kent State University territory. With an attack rate of .256, Grevengoed was second on the team in kills on Thursday against Ohio University. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies fall to Eagles in 5 sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 17, 2024
Freshman setter Ella Strausberger (2) and freshman middle blocker Rylea Alvin (8) attempt to block an attack from the Ohio University Bobcats on Friday at Victor E. Court. Strausberger had a season-high 40 assists as NIU volleyball was swept by the Bobcats. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies mauled by Bobcats in 3 sets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 11, 2024
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo (11) celebrates after NIU won their last set. NIU volleyball beat Kent State University in just three sets on Thursday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU volleyball sweeps Kent State, granting first conference win

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 11, 2024
NIU junior outside hitter Nazli Güvener (17) makes contact with the University of Akron's freshman outside hitter Delaney Gash (13) following a spike on Friday at Victor E. Court in DeKalb. Güvener led the Huskies in kills with 18. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies drop second to Zips in back and forth affair

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 4, 2024
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo (11) leaps and winds up for a spike on Sept. 18 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Atiemo had 13 kills as NIU volleyball lost in five sets to the University of Akron on Thursday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Volleyball drops close game to Akron

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
October 3, 2024
NIU junior right-side hitter Sarah Lezon (14) looks up at the ball, getting set to serve on Sept. 18 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. NIU volleyball lost in three sets to the University of Toledo on Saturday for the Huskies' four-straight match without winning a set. (Northern Star File Photo)

Volleyball flames out against Rockets

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 28, 2024
Senior mid-blocker Charli Atiemo (11) prepares to spike the ball over the net. Atiemo posted 5 kills as the Huskies surrendered three sets to Northwestern University on Sept. 20. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies trip against Toledo

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 27, 2024
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gets ready to throw a football before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sports Reporter James Bennett believes that Williams still has potential to be successful in the NFL after a slow start in 2024. (Michael Conroy | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Caleb Williams still has hope

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 26, 2024
Senior setter Sophie Hurt (16) sets the ball to senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo (11) on Wednesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. NIU volleyball was swept by Northwestern University for the second match in a row on Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies woeful against Wildcats

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 20, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Emma McCartney winds up for a serve on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. NIU volleyball defeated Stony Brook University in four sets to claim its second win of the season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball takes down Stony Brook for 2nd win of 2024

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 14, 2024
Senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo hits the ball over the net on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. Atiemo recorded 33 kills and 7 service aces as NIU volleyball lost both games of a doubleheader on Friday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball falls in doubleheader

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 13, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed prepares for a serve on Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. Sports Reporter James Bennett believes Grevengoed and freshman setter Ella Strausberger are key pieces for the future of NIU volleyball. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

COLUMN: NIU volleyball’s freshman duo is bringing hope to the program

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 11, 2024
Senior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic spikes the ball over the net Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. NIU volleyball defeated Tarleton State University in five sets Friday to claim its first win of the season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies claim first win of the season against Tarleton State

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 6, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Emma McCartney (6) gets ready to serve the ball Aug. 30 against Western Illinois University. NIU volleyball lost in five sets to Valparaiso University Thursday for its third-straight loss. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies drop third straight with loss to Valparaiso

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 5, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed (left) and senior middle blocker Charli Atiemo attempt a block Friday at the Convocation Center. NIU volleyball lost in five sets to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Sunday to fall to 0-2 on the season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball shows flashes but falters against Milwaukee

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
September 1, 2024
Freshman outside hitter Ava Grevengoed winds up for a serve Friday at the Convocation Center. Grevengoed recorded 5 service aces and 9 kills in a four set loss to Western Illinois University in the 2024 season opener. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball tumbles in season opener

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
August 30, 2024
Members of the NIU volleyball team huddle on Nov. 11, 2023, during a road match at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. The Huskies begin the 2024 season Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Volleyball seeks rebound in 2024

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter
August 28, 2024
Nicole Zurita, a senior child development major, responds to a street interviews prompt. Do your goals align with what you wanted when you were younger? (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: Changing goals

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
May 2, 2024
A figure sweats in front of a computer screen that reads “TW” for “trigger warning.” Trigger warnings are critical in media for protecting audiences who may be affected by the representation or discussion of certain subjects. (Mary Ngo | Northern Star)

Media must utilize trigger warnings

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
May 1, 2024
Various pills are scattered on the table. May will begin National Mental Health Awareness Month, and it's important to discuss the benefits of mental health medication as a form of treatment. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Normalize mental health medication

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
April 30, 2024
A laptop open to a movie script rests on a table near a NIU Theatre Arts Bachelors Degree. NIU’s Fine Arts program should be expanded for the benefit of arts students. (Daniela Barajas | Northern Star)

Fine Arts program must be flexible

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
April 24, 2024
Olivia Lesniewski, a junior music education major, responds to a street interview prompt. Share a joke! (Northern Star Graphic)

Street Interviews: National Humor Month

By James Bennett and Lucy Atkinson
April 11, 2024
An artists depiction of Kendrick Lamar shows him sitting on the phone; to his right are two panels representing J. Cole’s album “2014 Forest Hills Drive” and Drake’s album “Views.” The recent beef between the three hip hops artists is an example of how rivalries in lyrics can benefit the music industry. (Gabriel Fiorini | Northern Star)

Beef enhances hip-hop

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
April 8, 2024
University of Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark celebrates with her teammates after defeating Louisiana State University in the Elite 8 on Monday. Opinion Columnist James Bennett believes that women's sports deserve more respect from the general public. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

COLUMN: Women’s sports deserve more respect

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
April 2, 2024
A checklist, looking glass and dollar bills rest under the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Higher Learning Commission accreditation. Should HLC accreditation occur more or less frequently? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Higher Learning Commission accreditation

By Emily Beebe and James Bennett
April 1, 2024
A phone with multiple social media apps is reflected in a mirror. Social media is only a reflection of real life, and users should be wary of misrepresentation. (Photo Illustration | Northern Star)

Limit social media use

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
March 24, 2024
Four quadrants display symbols from four famous coming-of-age books: "Looking for Alaska," "The Perks of being a Wallflower," "The Catcher in the Rye," and "The Outsiders." Which coming-of-age book is best? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Poll: What’s the best coming-of-age book?

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
March 19, 2024
The Folger Shakespeare Library’s edition of Shakespeare’s “Othello,” published June 2017, is open to Act 5 Scene 2 and includes a glossary of Early Modern English terms featured on each page. Early Modern English is outdated and should be abandoned in modern theater. (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Early Modern English ineffective today

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
March 17, 2024
Rapper Killer Mike sings into a microphone on a stage. Killer Mike’s wins at the 2024 Grammys were deserved and serve as an example of why artist popularity should not be prioritized over music quality. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Judge artists by quality, not popularity

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
March 6, 2024
A mouse peers outward beneath the words “Look Both Ways” and the topic of the week: Animal testing. Is animal testing justified? (Lucy Atkinson | Northern Star)

Look Both Ways: Animal Testing

By James Bennett and Santiago Montañez Bertoletti
February 26, 2024
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gets ready to throw a pass during Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11. Mahomes was named Super Bowl MVP after leading the Chiefs to a game-winning drive in overtime. (Ashley Landis | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Ranking the Top 10 Super Bowl MVPs

By James Bennett, Opinion Columnist
February 20, 2024
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