Liz Holmes

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team opened the season Friday by splitting two matches.

NKU began Friday with a 30-23, 30-16, 30-24 victory against Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. In the nightcap, the Norse dropped a 29-31, 30-21, 30-21, 32-30 decision to Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras.

Liz Holmes led NKU with 15 kills and five blocks in the win over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. Andrea Lanham recorded 38 assists, while Tristen Dye added 13 kills and a .455 hitting percentage.

Holmes and Dye combined for 36 kills in the nightcap, but Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras rallied after dropping the first game to take the next three. Holmes, who had 17 kills and six blocks, added four service aces. Dye collected 19 kills, while Lanham finished with 35 assists and six kills.

The loss to Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras prevented NKU head coach Carlos Chia from recording his 100th career victory with the Norse. Chia, in his fifth season as NKU’s head coach, is 99-37 with the Norse.

NKU (1-1) will conclude its trip Saturday with matches against Puerto Rico-Bayamon and Puerto Rico-Cayay. The Norse will hit the road next Thursday for Harrogate, Tenn., and a match against Lincoln Memorial at 6 p.m.

NKU will then travel to Jefferson City, Tenn., to play in the Carson-Newman Tournament Sept. 2-3. The Norse will begin the event against Palm Beach Atlantic at noon on Sept. 2, and later play Newberry at 4:30 p.m.