Kristina Eisenmenger

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - Liz Holmes had 18 kills, 11 digs and a .533 hitting percentage as the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team began the Charleston (W. Va.) Tournament with a 33-31, 30-21, 30-20 victory over Shepherd (W. Va.) on Friday.

Kristina Eisenmenger added 10 kills and a .385 hitting percentage for NKU. Andrea Lanham collected 33 assists and 10 digs as NKU picked up a regional victory against Shepherd (2-7) in the first-ever meeting between the two schools in volleyball.

Natalie Forbes added 10 assists and 11 digs for NKU, while teammate Julie Lewis had six kills and 16 digs.

In the second match Friday, Tristen Dye finished with 13 kills and nine digs as NKU defeated host Charleston, 30-25, 30-21, 30-19. Holmes added 10 kills, 10 digs, four service aces and a .438 hitting percentage.

Eisenmenger slammed down 10 kills and attacked at a .476 clip for NKU, which upped its record to 9-2. Lanham finished with 39 assists, and Forbes served up four aces as the Norse picked up their second win against a regional foe on Friday.

NKU concludes the event Saturday with matches against Mars Hill and Indiana (Pa.).

NKU will play its home opener next Friday (Sept. 16) with a 7 p.m. match against Indianapolis. That match will also mark the beginning of Great Lakes Valley Conference action for the Norse.

NKU will meet Saint Joseph’s the following day (Sept. 17) at 1 p.m. in Regents Hall.