 |
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Looking for a tough way to begin a volleyball season? Then take a look at Northern Kentucky University’s first four matches this August, when the Norse will meet: •Perennial powerhouse North Dakota in the Aug. 24 season opener. •NCAA Division II Elite Eight participants Ashland and North Alabama. •Tusculum, which won 23 matches a year ago. All four of those season-opening matches will be played at Florence, Ala., on the home floor of North Alabama. The Lions posted a 35-6 record last year and knocked off NKU on a neutral floor at Ashland, Ohio. Ashland (23-10) is the defending Great Lakes Region champion. The Eagles stunned many by winning the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and later advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight by capturing the Great Lakes Region championship. NKU will play its home opener Aug. 28 against non-conference foe Indiana Tech at 7 p.m. After competing in the California (Pa.) Tournament and later hosting Lincoln Memorial, the Norse travel to Ashland, Ohio, to meet GLIAC powers Hillsdale and Grand Valley State on Sept. 7. The next day, NKU begins Great Lakes Valley Conference play against Kentucky Wesleyan in a match that will be played at Ashland, Ohio. Defending GLVC Tournament winner Lewis visits Regents Hall on Sept. 15. GLVC regular-season champion Southern Illinois at Edwardsville makes its final appearance in Highland Heights, Ky., on Sept. 28. SIUE, which is reclassifying to NCAA Division I status, is competing in the GLVC for the final time this season. Rockhurst and Drury will visit Regents Hall for rare Thursday-Friday night matches Oct. 11 and 12. NKU will meet GLVC power Indianapolis in Regents Hall on Oct. 20, and the Norse conclude their home schedule the next day with a non-conference match against Mount St. Joseph. NKU is seeking its 15th consecutive 20-win season. The Norse return four starters from last year’s 20-13 campaign, and the presence of two-time All-America selection Liz Holmes could elevate NKU into contention for the GLVC championship this fall. Holmes, a senior middle hitter and a graduate of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, led NKU in kills (427), hitting percentage (.396) and blocks (78) this season. She also had 285 digs and 54 service aces as NKU posted a 20-13 record. In addition, Holmes was tabbed first team All-GLVC and led the league in hitting percentage. She enters this season with 1,295 career kills, which currently ranks No. 8 in Norse history. NKU also welcomes back senior outside hitter Tristen Dye, who earned first team All-GLVC honors after collecting 399 kills. The Millersburg, Ohio, native also led NKU with 314 digs and was named GLVC Player of the Week in late October. Junior right-side hitter Kristina Eisenmenger recorded 420 kills and hit .340 last season. She also finished with 61 blocks and was named second team All-GLVC. The Norse also return senior middle blocker Elizabeth Droessler, senior defensive specialist Brittany Dixon, junior setter Natalie Forbes and sophomore defensive specialist Megan Dooley. NKU welcomes in an impressive recruiting class that features two-time NJCAA All-America libero Katie Latenser. |
