Women's Volleyball | August 27

DeKALB, Ill.—The Northern Illinois University women's volleyball team will open the 2025 season as they compete at the Stetson Hatters Invitational, August 29-30 in DeLand, Florida. The Huskies will open the season against Lamar University at 10 a.m. on Friday (August 29).  
 
The Huskies will face hosts Stetson at 5 p.m. on Friday evening before concluding the tournament with Southern Miss on August 30 at 11:30 a.m.
 
Live stats can be found on the Stetson Volleyball website as there is no television broadcast set for this weekend.
 
Scouting the Opponents
 
When the Huskies and Cardinals of Lamar face off on Friday morning, it will be the second time in program history.  The Huskies and Hatters of Stetson will also meet for the second time, a first since 2010 when they face off in the final game on Friday evening. The Golden Eagles of Southern Miss will meet NIU for the first time in program history on August 30.  
 
Lamar finished the 2024 season with a record of 15-14 overall. Maja Malinowska led the Cardinals with 335 in 2024 while Keeley Nellis led the team with 421 digs. As a team, the Cardinals averaged 11.6 kills per set, 1.9 blocks per set, and an attacking percentage of .200.
 
The Hatters of Stetson posted a record of 5-22 in 2024, averaging 10.7 kills per set. The Hatters had 2.4 blocks per set and an attacking percentage of .148. Jenna Simmons was second on the team with 179 kills (1.97 per set) and 19 service aces. Defensively, Kayla Balfour returns as she recorded 100 blocks last season.
 
The Golden Eagles of Southern Miss had a record of 9-20 during the 2024 season with 12.1 kills per set. Southern Miss had 2.2 blocks per set with 17.5 digs and an attacking percentage of .168. Sadie McAda led the team in kills with 371 total and 60 blocks for the Golden Eagles.
 
Previewing the 2025 Huskies
 
Twelve of the Huskies are underclassmen, with seven true freshmen on the roster, marking head coach Sondra D'Amore's youngest roster. The Huskies have five athletes from the Chicago area with six more from neighboring states, Wisconsin and Indiana.
 
Ava Grevengoed, a sophomore outside hitter from Shorewood, Illinois, returns for the Huskies after recording 305 kills and 35 aces in 2024. Additionally, Grevengoed led the team with 13 double-doubles for her debut year.
 
Ella Strausberger, a sophomore setter from Plainfield, Illinois, led the team with 603 assists. The Huskies also return Alexa Hayes, Emma McCartney, and Rylea Alvin who saw action in 18 or more games last season. Alvin was the Huskies leading blocker in 2024 with 68 total blocks during her debut season.
 
The Huskies add two transfers to the roster with junior middle blocker Autumn Flynn from Memphis and sophomore libero Jordyn Tynsky from Colorado State.
 
Looking at the 2025 Season
 
After the season opens on the road, NIU takes on Merrimack and Indiana State on September 5 as they close the tournament with SIUE on September 6. 
 
Mid-American Conference action starts on September 25-26 as the Huskies host Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan.
 
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