Health & Fitness
NIU Volleyball Standouts From Batavia, Geneva Recognized for Achievements in the Classroom
Local standout athletes on the NIU volleyball team are recognized for their academic achievements.
NIU’s volleyball team has been capturing headlines all season long for its play on the court. Now two players from the Tri-Cities are being recognized for their smarts in the classroom.
Kristin Hoffman, a senior from Batavia, and Lauren Wicinski, a sophomore from Geneva, have earned Capital One Academic All-District 5 recognition. The designation recognizes the nation’s top student‐athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.
Both Hoffman and teammate Allison McGlaughlin were named to the first team, while Wicinski garnered a second-team selection.
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“I’m very happy for and proud of Kristin, Allison, and Lauren,” NIU head coach Ray Gooden said.
“This is great recognition for the NIU volleyball program. Our mission is to produce champions in the classroom, on the court, and in the community, and an honor like this reflects two of the three,” Gooden added. “Balancing class and volleyball is not easy. For these three to do it at a high level like they do and get recognized like this for their hard work, it’s really nice to see.”
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Hoffman, who is a history major with a 3.97 grade point average, earned a first team selection in 2010 as well and went on to become the program’s first Academic All-American. The setter for one of the top five offenses in the country recently became only the third Huskie to reach 4,000 career assists.
Wicinski, an education major with a 3.41 GPA, earned her first career selection. On Oct. 6, the 2010 MAC Player and Freshman of the Year became the fastest in league history to reach 1,000 career kills.
