HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team will travel to Allendale, Mich., this weekend to participate in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference/Great Lakes Valley Conference Crossover Tournament.
NKU, ranked No. 23 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll and 2-2 after splitting four matches at Tampa, Fla., last week, will meet No. 22 Northwood (Mich.) University (9-1) at 2 p.m. Friday. The Norse will later play defending NCAA II Great Lakes Region champion Grand Valley State University (6-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.
Grand Valley State is ranked No. 4 nationally in Division II. NKU lost twice to the Lakers last season, including a 3-1 setback in the NCAA Tournament. NKU will conclude the tournament at 3 p.m. Saturday with a match against Northern Michigan University (3-4).
A year ago, NKU hosted the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover Tournament in Regents Hall and finished with a 1-2 record. The Norse defeated Northwood, but NKU dropped contests to both Grand Valley State and Northern Michigan.
Junior outside hitter Nicole Salisbury leads NKU with 59 kills and 49 digs. Salisbury, a transfer from Wayne (Mich.) State University, also has a .393 hitting percentage. Junior right-side hitter Cammi Welter leads NKU with a .427 hitting percentage, and she is No. 2 on the team with 52 kills.
Sophomore outside hitter Kristin Koralewski has 51 kills and four service aces, while junior setter Sara Taylor is averaging 13.79 assists per game. Taylor leads NKU with seven service aces. Freshman middle hitter Kaliana Kalache has 34 kills and a .397 hitting percentage, and she is tied with Welter for team leadership with 12 total blocks.
NKU will begin GLVC play Sept. 17 with a 7:30 p.m. match at Bellarmine University. The Norse will play their home opener Sept. 20 when Lewis University visits Regents Hall at 7 p.m.
Nicole Salisbury