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Sept. 4, 2002 |
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NKU TO OPEN SEASON AT TAMPA |
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No. 20 Norse meet 10th-ranked Tampa on Thursday |
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team is going to find out quickly where it stands nationally in the NCAA Division II ranks. NKU, ranked No. 20 nationally in this week’s NCAA Division II poll, will open the season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday night against 10th-ranked University of Tampa (2-1) at Tampa, Fla. The next day, NKU will meet fourth-ranked Truman State University (4-0) in Tampa, and the Norse will face 15th-ranked University of North Florida (3-0) on Saturday. In addition, NKU will meet Florida Southern College (4-1) while in Tampa this weekend. NKU returns six letterwinners from last year’s 28-5 team, and the Norse add seven newcomers to the roster. Junior outside hitter Cammi Welter had 374 kills and 388 digs last season and is NKU’s top returning player. Junior setter Sara Taylor, who had 1,122 assists in 2001, also was named second team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference last season. Sophomore defensive specialist Amber Timmons earned second team All-GLVC honors a year ago after finishing with 224 digs and 31 service aces. Sophomore outside hitter Kristin Koralewski, a transfer from Northern Michigan University who earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2000, is NKU’s top newcomer. NKU is seeking its sixth straight GLVC championship. The Norse have also advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament five consecutive years. NKU played Tampa last season in Jacksonville, Fla., and dropped a 3-0 decision to the Spartans. The Norse defeated Florida Southern (3-1) and North Florida (3-1) a year ago while in Jacksonville. |