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ROLLA, Mo. - Northern Kentucky University bounced back from a forgettable Thursday evening in St. Louis and coasted to a sweep against Missouri-Rolla on Friday night. NKU won by scores of 30-12, 30-24, 30-28 over Missouri-Rolla. The Norse, ranked No. 22 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, improved to 18-5 overall, 7-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Missouri-Rolla, which is fielding volleyball for the first time this season, dropped to 3-19 overall, 2-8 GLVC. Liz Holmes finished with 15 kills and attacked at a .500 clip for NKU, which suffered an upset loss at Missouri-St. Louis the previous night. Holmes added four blocks, including three solos. The senior middle hitter now has 1,653 career kills and is 50 shy of breaking Bethany Gastright's all-time NKU record of 1,702. Freshman outside hitter Chelsea Clark added eight kills and hit .350 for the Norse. Clark also collected 10 digs as the NKU defense finished with a 48-33 advantage in that category. NKU used a 19-1 run in the first game to break away from a 9-all tie and build a 28-10 lead. Kristina Eisenmenger started the spurt with three consecutive kills to give NKU a 12-9 advantage. After Missouri-Rolla later made it 16-10 on a kill by Leandra Pelae, the Norse used 12-0 run to extend the lead to 28-10. In the third game, NKU built a 26-19 lead but had to hold on for a 30-28 win. Missouri-Rolla closed to within 29-28, but Clark ended the match by converting an attack for her eighth kill. Junior setter Natalie Forbes dished out 33 assists and added nine digs. Eisenmenger and Tristen Dye each finished with 13 kills as NKU hit .318 as a team. NKU will conclude the three-match road trip Saturday with a 4 p.m. contest at Quincy. The Norse return home next week and will meet Rockhurst at 7 p.m. Thursday in Regents Hall. NKU also plays host to Drury at 7 p.m. Friday. |
