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FORT MYERS, Fla. - Northern Kentucky University began its season-opening run through a gauntlet of nationally ranked volleyball teams Thursday night, and the Norse were unable to overcome a fast start by No. 16 Florida Gulf Coast. Erika Fonseca recorded 13 kills, 11 blocks and a .423 hitting percentage as Florida Gulf Coast posted a 30-9, 30-17, 30-22 win over NKU in front of a school-record crowd of 1,429 in Alico Arena. The Eagles opened the match with a 17-1 run as Fonseca, a 6-foot-2 middle hitter, recorded five kills. Florida Gulf Coast attacked at a .312 clip in the opening game and limited the Norse to a -.324 hitting percentage. NKU, the preseason favorite in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, limited Florida Gulf Coast to a .206 hitting percentage in the second game. The Norse, however, hit -.033 (seven kills, eight errors in 30 attempts) and dropped a 30-17 decision. Florida Gulf Coast jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third game and cruised to the victory. Heather Van Olst had five of her seven kills in the third game. Cara Ziegler finished with eight kills and hit .545 for the Eagles, who recorded 14 team blocks and added eight aces. Tristen Dye led NKU with six kills and also added a team-high three blocks. Andrea Lanham added 23 assists for the Norse, who hit -.058 for the match. Norse junior middle hitter Liz Holmes finished with five kills, but the Eagles held the All-America candidate to a -.217 hitting percentage. Andrea Price and Kristina Eisenmenger each added four kills for NKU. The Norse will continue their Florida trip Friday with matches against Regis (2 p.m.) and No. 2 Tampa (8 p.m.). A year ago, Tampa posted a 29-4 record. On Saturday, NKU will meet No. 15 Lock Haven (Pa.) in Tampa. On Sept. 2, the Norse will meet defending NCAA Division II national champion Grand Valley State at Ashland, Ohio. Grand Valley State is ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll. |
