HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team will begin Great Lakes Valley Conference play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday with a road match at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky.
NKU has a 2-5 overall record going into the GLVC opener with Bellarmine (3-9, 1-0 GLVC). The Norse own five consecutive GLVC championships and hold a 43-8 lead in the all-time series with the Knights.
The Norse will play their home opener at 7 p.m. Friday against Lewis University in Regents Hall. Lewis is off to an 11-0 start - the best in the history of the Flyer volleyball program. NKU will also play host to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside at 2 p.m. Saturday.
AGAINST THE GLVC: During the past five years, NKU is 73-5 (.936) in the regular season against GLVC teams. The Norse are also 15-0 in the GLVC Tournament during that period and own NCAA Tournament wins against GLVC foes Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (1998) and Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (1998). IPFW left the GLVC after the 2000 season.
TOUGH WEEKEND IN MICHIGAN: Jennie Little and Beth Laveen both recorded 21 kills Saturday as Northern Michigan University defeated NKU, 30-24, 27-30, 30-27, 30-25, at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference/Great Lakes Valley Conference Crossover Tournament.
Maggie Pugh led NKU with 15 kills, a .414 hitting percentage and two service aces. Cammi Welter and Nicole Salisbury both had 16 kills for the Norse, who finished 0-3 at the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover Tournament. In addition to the Northern Michigan loss, NKU also suffered defeats to Northwood (Mich.) University and Grand Valley State University at the GLIAC/GLVC Crossover Tournament.
Sara Taylor finished with 58 assists and 13 digs for the Norse, while Kristin Koralewski had eight kills and 24 digs. Kaliana Kalache added 12 kills and a .375 hitting percentage for NKU.
NORSE LEADERS: Taylor leads NKU with 304 assists (12.67 apg)...Salisbury is No. 1 on the team in both kills (89) and digs (74)...Pugh leads NKU with nine service aces...Welter is No. 1 in hitting percentage (.346) and total blocks (21).
Sara Taylor