River Forest, Ill. – We prepare for the final home Women's and Men's Basketball games this upcoming week, while Men's Volleyball closes a 5-game home-stand, and Track and Field continues to compete in their indoor season.

Women's Basketball opened the week inside the Igini Sports Forum on Wednesday evening, for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, alongside Cancer night. Dominican came out victorious in a defensive battle against Illinois Tech, winning 48-41. Junior Teagan Dahl recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Sophomore Allannah Jackson put her name in the record book, earning 7 steals in the game for the second time this season. In the second game this past week, the Stars traveled to Lakeland University for a chance to beat the Muskies. DU had a slow first half that they could not overcome despite scoring 31 points in the 4^th quarter. Dominican fell 69-59, with Freshman Kennedy Yost and Eva Herbig each scoring in double-figures. DUWBB will have its final two home games of the season this week. The first will be on February 11^th at 7:00 p.m. against Benedictine University, then on Valentine's Day, Wisconsin Lutheran will come to the Igini Sports Forum to take on the Stars on Senior Day. Tip-off for this one will be at 1:00 p.m.

Men's Basketball started a three-game road trip last week, with their first game being at Illinois Tech. The first half saw only 44 points between the two teams, while the second half exploded with offense, with each team scoring 47 points. DUMBB could not overcome the Scarlet Hawks on the road, though losing 74-64, with three players collecting double-digit points. In the second game of the week, the Stars traveled to Lakeland University for another instant classic between these two schools. Dominican took a 41-40 lead into the half. The second half was much of bucket for bucket between the two schools, until the Muskies made free throws in the final seconds of the game to win 86-82. Sophomore Frank Paszkowski and Freshman Elijah Daugherty scored 49 of the 86 Dominican points with two other players in double-figures. DUMBB plays two games this week, with their final home game on Saturday. In the first one, the Stars will travel to Benedictine University. Dominican beat BenU on their home court earlier this year and look to repeat with a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on February 11^th. DU will then be back in the Igini Sports Forum on Valentine's Day for their Senior Day against Wisconsin Lutheran. Tip-off is set for 3:15 p.m.

Men's Volleyball continued its 5-game homestand with three home matches this past week. The first one was a thriller between Illinois Wesleyan and the Stars. Dominican came out with a 5-set victory behind Junior Thomas Hirsch, who recorded 12 kills, 2 service aces, and 6 total blocks. This momentum carried into Saturday with DUMVB playing a doubleheader against Wabash College and the University of Mount Union. Wabash was first on Saturday, and the Stars prevailed with a 3-0 victory with Graduate Student Casey Goss hitting .400 and recording 6 kills in this one. Mount Union was next, and the Stars swept the Purple Raiders. Sophomore Kendall Esparza exploded offensively for DU, earning 13 kills while hitting .545 and 4 service aces. Hirsch also put his name in the record book with 9 blocks in the match. DUMVB has two giant matches this week, with North Central College coming to the Igini Sports Forum on February 12^th for a 7:00 p.m. first serve between the Stars and the Cardinals. Dominican will then travel to ranked Loras College on February 15^th for a battle with the Duhawks at 2:00 p.m.

Men's and Women's Track and Field participated in the Keck DIII Select hosted by Illinois Wesleyan University. The Stars were all over the track in this one. Senior Emma Brosnihan and Junior Fatima Duran both participated in the 800-meter dash and their times were 2:53.95 and 2:57.05, respectively. Sophomore Aaron Guadarrama competed in the men's Shot Put and posted a throw of 9.05 meters. DUT&F will be back in action on February 13^th and 14^th in Allendale, Michigan, at the GVSU Big Meet hosted by Grand Valley State University.
 
 
 
 Stars of the Week for the week of February 2nd to February 8th:

Sophomore Allannah Jackson of the Women's Basketball team took home Women's Star of the Week honors. In the two games last week, Jackson has been a factor on the defensive end of the court, earning 10 steals. Jackson also recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds in the two games.

Sophomore Landon Kassulke of the Men's Volleyball team collected Men's Star of the Week. Kassulke collected 98 assists and 8 kills in Dominican's three matches.