Andrea Lanham

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Northern Kentucky University’s Andrea Lanham literally served up a first-game victory against Lewis in the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday.

After Lewis built a 24-21 lead in the first game, Lanham began her barrage of service aces. The junior setter used her blistering jump serve to record nine consecutive aces and give NKU a 30-24 win. NKU used the momentum from the opening stanza to hold off Lewis in four games, 30-24, 30-28, 28-30, 30-26, at the Mason-Halpin Field House.

Lanham, a graduate of Notre Dame Academy, finished with 49 assists, five kills, five digs and nine aces. The nine consecutive aces she served to close out the opening-game win were the most ever recorded in Norse volleyball history.

NKU, which improved to 26-6, served up a total of 20 aces and advanced to the GLVC Tournament semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday. The third-seeded Norse will face second-seeded SIUE (25-5) in the semifinals.

SIUE extended its winning streak to 16 consecutive matches by defeating Drury on Thursday. The Cougars posted a three-game sweep over NKU earlier this season at Edwardsville, Ill.

SIUE owns four consecutive victories over NKU. The Norse have not beaten the Cougars since Sept. 28, 2002.

Liz Holmes and Tristen Dye each recorded double-doubles for NKU. Holmes collected 13 kills and 14 digs, while Dye added 11 kills and 12 digs. Holmes also hit .333 with three blocks.

Kristina Eisenmenger finished with a team-leading 16 kills, and teammate Lynne Fischesser served up five aces. Fischesser, a senior and a graduate of Notre Dame Academy, also recorded a match-high 18 digs and had three kills. She now has 967 career digs at NKU.

Natalie Forbes added three aces and seven digs for the Norse, who hit just .164 for the match. NKU, however, held a 20-6 advantage in aces and a 77-69 edge in digs.

Maria Tieman had 17 digs for the Norse, and Julie Lewis notched 11 kills.

Theresa Nugent led sixth-seeded Lewis (17-13) with 20 kills and a .326 hitting percentage. Nugent also had 14 digs and five blocks.

The championship match is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, and the winner will receive an automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

BOX SCORE