Sept. 20, 2010

NIU Scholar Athletes of the Week (Aug. 30-Sept. 5)

Name: Alan Baxter
Sport: Football
Position: Defensive End
Year: Sophomore
GPA: 3.40
Major: Business
Week’s Achievements:
In the season opener at Iowa State, defensive end Alan Baxter (Buffalo Grove, Ill./Buffalo Grove) recorded three tackles, two solo, and a tackle for loss. The NIU defense held the Cyclones to 28 yards rushing in the second half and 138 yards for the game. Baxter is also a Huskie Scholar (3.00-3.49 GPA) at Northern Illinois.

Name: Mary Kurisch
Sport: Volleyball
Position: Middle Blocker
Year: Sophomore
GPA: 3.70
Major: Math Education
Week’s Achievements:
In helping NIU go 4-0 over the past week without dropping a single set, including taking a second straight invitational crown in as many weekends, middle blocker Mary Kurisch (LaCrosse, Wis./West Salem) led the Huskies in blocks with 15 (1.25/set), while she also ranked second in points with 50.5 (4.21/set), kills with 39 (3.25/set), hitting percentage (.452), and assists with eight (0.67/set). In a home win over Bradley, the sophomore had a career-best seven blocks and 18 points, along with 14 kills and a .591 hitting percentage. In a sweep of Kennesaw State at the UIC Invitational, she hit .400 with eight kills and a block. In a sweep of Memphis at the UIC Invitational, Kurisch hit .500 with eight kills, a career-high four assists, an ace, and three blocks. In a sweep of host Illinois Chicago to win the tournament, she hit .318 with nine kills, four blocks, and three digs. Kurisch has now hit over .318 with at least eight kills and one block in all eight matches this season. Additionally, she is a Victory Scholar (3.50 GPA or better) at Northern Illinois.