Nov. 16, 2007

DeKalb, Ill. - The Northern Illinios volleyball added a pair of talented players to the Huskie 2008 roster by inking outside hitter Allison McGlaughlin (Morton, Ill. / Morton) and setter Kristin Hoffman (Batavia, Ill. / Batavia).

"We are excited about both Kristin and Allison because they are complete players," said NIU head coach Ray Gooden.

McGlaughlin, who also played for the Illini Elite club team, was the Peoria Journal Star Player of the Year in both her junior and senior years at Morton High School as she helped lead Morton to a 26-2 Mid-Illini Conference record in those two years, finishing fifth in the 2006 Illinois State Tournament and going 14-0 for a first place conference finish.

McGlaughlin was selected as a First Team All-Conference player all four years and holds a few school and state records. She owns school records for career digs (968), aces (178) and season aces (76). She possess state and school records for career kills (1,697) and kills in a game (17), while ranking fourth in the state in match kills (34) and second in season kills (674).

"Allison is an explosive athlete," Gooden said. "She has the potential to be a six-rotation player because she can do more than just one skill well. We are excited about her level of skill and athletic ability."

Hoffman was Western Sun All-Conference First Team performer in her junior and senior year, while being selected to the Daily Herald All-Area First Team as a senior. As a junior, she was a Batavia Republican All-Area First Team honoree and was an All-Area Honorable Mention for the Kane County Chronicle, Beacon News and Daily Herald.

Hoffman, a former First Alliance, Sunsetters and Sports Performance club team member, ranks at the top of the Batavia High School record book in a few categories. She owns the highest career setting percentage (94.2% in 2474 attempts), highest career serving percentage (98.5% in 884 attempts) and the highest season serving percentage (99.7% in 319 attempts). She also holds the school record for service points in a career (463) and most perfect serve matches in a season (34). While only being a setter for her junior and senior year, she totaled 673 assists in her career.

"Kristin has very solid setting skills, but has even stronger leadership abilities," said Gooden. She does a good job as a setter and also performed well for a top-level club team. We are excited about her level of experience and her potential, not to mention, she is a very good athlete."

The No. 8 Huskies face No. 1 Ohio in a MAC Tournament quarterfinal match tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST.

-NIU