Northland International University

 The NI MVB team competes in the Wisconsin VB conference. Their championship final appearance and a winning record afforded them an opportunity to attend this year’s National Collegiate Volleyball Federation championships held in Louisville / KY. These championships included over 200 teams in three divisions.

 The Northland International University returned from their Spring Break to turn around and have to drive to Louisville, Kentucky for the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation National tournament on April 1-3. The Pioneer men should be ranked high in the 24 team field by way of a runner-up finish in the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference State Final on March 13^th. NI lost to UW Oshkosh in the championship match. The Titans should be one of the top 4 seeds in the DIII of the NCVF Tournament.

 In the last game of the regular season the Northland International men’s volleyball team hosted Michigan Tech University on Thursday evening March 18^th.  The Pioneer’s were coming off an 0-3 match loss to national top seed UW-Oshkosh on Tuesday March 16^th.  “It was crucial for us to keep the competitive climate up on our team.  Doing that involves each player making sure his individual temperature is right for success”, commented coach Herron prior to the match. 

In less than a week the Northland International University men’s volleyball team played the UW Oshkosh Titans; the top seeded team in the NCVF DIII National tournament. The Pioneer’s lost to UWO on Saturday 3/13 in the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference Championship match and then hosted the same team on Tuesday 3/16.

 The Northland International University men’s volleyball team were seeded #1 into the beginning day pool of teams at the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference State Tournament held at UW Whitewater

The Northland International University Men’s Basketball team had four of its players named to the Midwest All-Region Team.

 The Northland International University Men’s Volleyball team hosted the UW Oshkosh Titans on Tuesday March 9^th at the Pioneer Athletic Center.  “Coach Schaeffer usually comes with any team that attends at the end of the season.  He has a very strong program that grows their players in the competitive cauldron of practice that challenges them to improve,” commented Coach Herron.

 On Tuesday March 2^nd the Northland International Men’s Volleyball team started a home stand of matches. On this evening the Huskies from Michigan Tech and the Red Hawks from Ripon College were invited in for a tri-match. The matches were held in the PAC on campus.

 The Northland International University men’s volleyball team travelled to Stout on Friday, February 26 to play the University of Wisconsin at Stout.  The game was hosted by the NCVF Division II #20 ranked team at Johnson Field house.  The Pioneers were coming off a tough 5 set loss to UW-Oshkosh on Tuesday February 23.  Coach Herron stated prior to the match, “The manifestation of our desire to improve and the lessons learned from a ‘come from ahead loss’ would be evident in how we played tonight

Coaches go through a wide range of emotions when taking a team into the arena of adversity involved in athletics. Players may feel the same as they work through delight in how they are playing to disappointment to discouragement. “I may have felt like Roy Williams often has looked this season; at the end of the match there was some discouragement on my part. After a couple of hours though I understood how the match went,” commented Coach Herron.

The Northland Pioneers met the Oshkosh Generals for the second time this season on Saturday night when they played in Green Bay, WI

 The Men’s volleyball team claimed the Wisconsin Volleyball Conference season tournament. This victory places the Pioneer’s at the top of the WVC - DII Conference. On Saturday Feb. 20 the NI team hosted the second half of the play date schedule with 7 other teams.

       The first home wrestling match of the year for Northland International University displayed great competition and sportsmanship as the Pioneers took on the Crusaders of Maranatha Baptist Bible College.

The men’s volleyball team ended the week of 2/15-19 with back to back wins. The NI team hosted the University of Wisconsin Green Bay in the first home match of the season and came away with a 3-0 victory. The team then travelled to Houghton, MI for a match with friendly rival Michigan Tech University. The visiting Pioneer’s took a 3-0 victory in this match also.

 The Northland International men’s volleyball team travelled to La Crosse for an inter-divisional match-up on Friday 2/12. This was a long trip for the team from the Northeastern part of Wisconsin but one that Coach Herron was willing to make. “We need to be tested by better teams. UW La Crosse is a good program and would be a challenge for us. Adversity brings a challenge and that challenge should lead to good change.”

 On the weekend of Feb. 5-6^th the Northland International University men’s volleyball team played 5 matches in 2 days winning 4 and losing 1. The team was coming off a demanding weekly schedule of school events / class schedule. “What I hoped wouldn’t happen in our opening match on Friday actually did; the players had a late night each evening and we had to practice on cement twice. Our legs were lethargic and as they say, weary body –weak mind!”

  The Northland Pioneer Hockey Team battled hard tonight against Iron River winning by a score of 4-3.  Tonight, the Pioneers battled hard, winning their second in a row by a final score of 6-2.

 The men’s volleyball team for Northland International University began their second semester in the classroom and on the court. After a week of classes and adjustment to student life the team began their season of competition with a 4 way match at UWGB along with UW Oshkosh II/III on Thursday 1/28.

Lady Pioneers Return to the Court 2010-01-17 span - 6 After enjoying a few weeks off for Christmas break, the Northland International University women’s basketball team returned to action this past week, going 1-2 in three exciting and close games. First, Northland lost at the University of Wisconsin-

Pioneers Defeat Lakeland College 2010-01-14 span - 6 SHEBOYGAN – The NIU Men’s Basketball team won a thrilling game over the Muskies from Lakeland College Monday night, 78-76.   The Pioneers came into the matchup well prepared and were ready for everything that Lakeland threw at them. The Pioneers (10-3,

Pioneers Squeeze By Marinette 2010-01-14 span - 6   MARINETTE – The Pioneers came out with a win after a tough game at the University of Wisconsin-Marinette, 76-74.   Northland struggled through some tough calls and pulled together to cap off the victory.   Only 11:00 into the game, Northland’s top

 The Northland Men’s basketball team finished its first half of the season with 66-64 win at Silver Lake College.  The Pioneers are 9-3 at the break. The game was tied at 62 with 20 seconds left.  The Pioneers struggled to get an open look, so with 6 seconds left Head Coach Pete Wehry called a timeout.  In the huddle the Pioneers set up and a sideline inbounds play.  Silver Lake denied the first option, which led the throw-in to be passed into Senior Joel Widmer.  Widmer hit point guard Nathan Pettit with a pass, and Pettit made a slashing lay-up to the basket, scoring with .02 on the clock.  After a violation by Silver Lake, the Pioneers were able to inbound the ball to seal the victory for the Pioneers.

The Lady Pioneers of Northland International University got off to a fast start against the Silver Lake College Lakers, and claimed the 76-69 road win in Manitowoc Saturday afternoon. Northland (5-3), typically a slow starting team this season, scored on their first season when Abbey Armstrong sank a 3-point field goal from the top of the key, and never trailed in the game. Northland would lead by as many as 15 points in the first half before settling for a 42-32 halftime lead.

 The 2009/10 Season for the Northland International Men’s Volleyball team began at the UW Oshkosh “Titan Open” tournament.  The Pioneers were in a pool of teams that included host UW Oshkosh, UW Green Bay, and UW Madison.  Coach Herron commented, “I have been anxious to see how we would fare.  We have 4 new starters and the game is such that teamwork is crucial.  The competition this weekend would help us mesh together.  Our goal was to be one of the top 2 teams in our pool and make it into the final 4!”

The first four minutes Monday night resembled the sluggish offensive start of last week’s home loss to UW-Marinette, but that is where the similarities ended for the Northland International University women’s basketball team.

 On Saturday afternoon Northland International defeated Great Lakes Christian 72-53.  Northland recovered from a tough loss on Friday night, and put together a necessary effort to come away with an important Midwest Regional win. 

 The NIU Men’s Basketball team won a nail biter tonight at the 2009 Midwest Tip-Off Tournament vs. Kuyper College with a score of 63-62.  The Pioneers never really got in a rhythm on offense, but were able to win the game with heart on the defensive end.

  On Friday night of the Midwest Tipoff, the Pioneers of Northland were upended by the Lincoln Christian Red Lions 84-75.  The Red Lions made big shot after big shot and came away with a big win.  Northland Head Coach Pete Wehry stated, “We played hard, but did not play really well.  We made some mistakes defensively and offensively, but I will not fault our player’s effort.  I do not feel like we lost, I feel like Lincoln beat us.”

 The 2009-10 men’s volleyball team has been gathered and practicing in preparation for the upcoming season. The only competition will be had at a pre-season tournament hosted at UW Oshkosh. The Pioneer’s will see play against Anderson College (IN), Lakeland, UW Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW Whitewater and the University of Wisconsin.  Coach Herron commented, “I look forward to the competition with guarded optimism. Last year we knew we had some deficiencies in experience and talent and had to make up for that with desire and diligence. We have a good blend of ability this year – our hard work in practice will make us capable to stand up to the challenges of our conference.”

The Northland International University Lady Pioneers couldn’t overcome a cold shooting night as they dropped their home opener 69-56 to the UW-Marinette Lady Bucs. Managing to only connect on 28% of their shots from the field, Northland fell behind 36-31 at halftime and struggled to recover against a UW-Marinette team that shot 47% (8 of 17) from behind the 3-point arc.

 The Northland International Men’s Basketball team bounced back with a victory tonight beating University of Wisconsin-Marinette, 81-75.  The Pioneers played flat early in the game but were able to stay re-focus and finish with the win.  Northland Coach Pete Wehry was not sure that Pioneers came ready to play.  “I thought we did not play with passion early on, and we needed more intensity. 

 Information and Scores for the 2009 Men's Basketball Tip-Off Tournament, held at Northland International Univeristy.

The Lady Pioneers of Northland International University used defensive pressure to create an up tempo game, and ran away from the Eagles of Emmaus Bible College 63-33 Saturday at the Midwest Region Tip-off event. Northland was credited with 27 steals, many that led to easy baskets, to change a close game at intermission (31-20) into a more comfortable margin for the win. The victory improves their record to 3-2 on the season, 2-1 in the Midwest region.

The Northland Men's Basketball team outplayed Northland College Friday night coming away with a 91-68 victory. Playing in front of a packed house for the home opener and high school invitational, the team was energized and focused throughout the whole game.  The Pioneers always compete very evenly with the Lumberjacks, and the same was so in the first half Friday night when the score was 35-34.

Teams from six states are participating in Northland’s annual Northland Basketball Invitational Tournament on November 19-21. These teams include: Colonial Christian School, Community Baptist, Fellowship Baptist Academy, First Baptist Christian, Oak Hill Christian, Parsippany Christian School, Ridgewood Baptist Academy, Washington County Home School, and Twin City Educators.    

The Lady Pioneers started the 2009-10 basketball season by going 1-2 in the very competitive Super 8 Classic hosted by Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, KY. In a field that featured the 12-time national champion and top-ranked KCU Lady Knights, # 8 Southeastern University (Lakeland, FL), and our Midwest Region rival Grace Bible College (Grand Rapids, MI), Northland knew this year’s team would need to come together quickly as the other participants had already played multiple games this season.

 The Northland men’s basketball team finished its two game weekend with a solid thumping of St. Louis Christian College on Saturday.  Though winning on Friday against Midwest region opponent Emmaus, the Pioneers struggled to find any rhythm.  Saturday was a completely different story, as the Pioneers played with great focus and a desire to play “Coram Deo” [that is “before the face of God”] basketball. The Pioneers routed St. Louis Christian 114-45 Saturday in Ankeny, IA. 

As so often is the case in soccer, the team who possesses the ball more does not always win. In an even more lopsided possession game than Clearwater, Northland showed great poise and was able to impose their will on a solid Manhattan side; but in a mirror image form of the last game Northland could again not capitalize on their opportunities.

One of the marks of a good team as that they will give credit to whom credit is due. Today, Clearwater was the better team; but both teams will admit that this contest could have gone either way.

The Northland International University Men’s Basketball team beat Emmaus Bible College 75-58 Friday night at the Faith Classic Tournament in Ankeny, Iowa.  Northland led from beginning to end, but struggled with inconsistent play.  Emmaus applied great ball pressure and forced 23 turnovers by the Pioneers. 

 The 2009 ‘regular’ season ended in the last weekend at the Midwest Regional Tournament with a 3^rd place finish. “If we could have ended there it would have been a very gratifying/satisfying finish. Over a year ago I scheduled a match after our Regional hoping to make it to the National Tournament. That did not happen but we still needed to fulfill the contracted match. The results would not count but the performance was still very important for us! We had a 3 freshmen that chose not to come but those that did go were expected to be ready with committed play!”; commented Coach Herron.

 The #9 Northland International University Pioneers made the long trip over to Kansas to take on the #8 Manhattan Christian College Crusaders and came away with a 77-68 victory.  Although the team had a long drive from St. Louis the night before, the Pioneers showed a lot of heart and mental toughness to compete at the highest level.

 The Northland International University men’s basketball season kicked off the season last night with a 76−53 victory over the Eutectics of St Louis College of Pharmacy. Coach Peter Wehry commented via phone: “It was a good first game for the guys. I think it exposed some things that we need to work on, and we were able to come out with the win.” 

It was exactly 366 days ago when the Northland Men’s Soccer team was sent home early by the Archers of Moody Bible Institute. That memory was fresh on the mind of all the players and coaches who returned for the 2009 campaign.

There is a great air of anticipation as the 2009−2010 Pioneer men's basketball season begins with a trip to Missouri and Kansas, November 5−6. This weekend, the men open their season with a game in St. Louis, Missouri, against an NAIA opponent, St. Louis College of Pharmacy. The following night on Friday, November 6, Northland will take on Manhattan Christian College, who was ranked in the top five in the NCCAA Division II during most of the 2008−2009 season. This will be a great start and test for the Pioneers. In the opening NCCAA poll, Manhattan Christian was ranked eighth, and the Pioneers were ranked ninth.

In the semi-final round of the NCCAA Midwest Regional Tournament the Pioneers of Northland defeated Maranatha Baptist 2-1 in penalty kicks.

The Northland International University faced a very tough road in their Midwest Regional Tournament at Grace Bible College this past weekend. NI had a quarter-final match against the home host Tigers on Friday afternoon.

There is an author who writes motivational books for the business world, which is a very competitive environment. Jim Collins states that the difference between "good and great" is "not a function of circumstance but is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline."

On Tuesday evening, October 20, the Lady Pioneers traveled to Gogebic Community College to play the Samsons on their home court. This was a return match from the week before. Northland is attempting to peak for the MW Regional tournament to be played at Grace Bible College the weekend of October 30-31

After about a week off from competition, Coach Herron was not sure how the NI women's volleyball team would respond. "My assistant coach and I determined to take a kind of pre-season approach with players for the time we have had between matches. There have been some bad mental/physical habits that have crept in, and we got in their grill about it."

Coming in, both teams knew that this would be a battle. But honestly, when hasn't it been a battle? This game did not disappoint as Northland and sister school Maranatha battled until the final whistle.