----Jennifer Wirtz attacks against Georgetown

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - For Northern Kentucky University, Friday’s 7 p.m. Great Lakes Valley Conference showdown against Indianapolis in Regents Hall represents more than just another volleyball match. Just consider that:

• Indianapolis and NKU both have one loss in the GLVC, and each team is trying to remain close to league-leading Southern Illinois at Edwardsville (13-2, 6-0 GLVC).

• Indianapolis already owns a victory over NKU, a three-game sweep on Sept. 9. The Norse can’t afford another loss to the Greyhounds and realistically expect to earn the No. 1 seed in the GLVC Tournament.

• NKU has played one of the toughest schedules in the nation and enters Friday with an 8-7 overall record, 3-1 in the GLVC. Indianapolis is 12-4 overall, 4-1 in the GLVC.

• The Norse could use a big regional victory, and defeating Indianapolis would do the trick.

NKU has won three straight matches entering Friday, including a 3-0 sweep at Bellarmine on Tuesday night. Tristen Dye collected 12 kills and hit .400 for NKU. The junior outside hitter also had 15 digs.

Liz Holmes added 10 kills and attacked at a .625 clip for the Norse, who finished with a .438 hitting percentage. Holmes, who was named GLVC Player of the Week on Monday, also collected six digs and two solo blocks.

Holmes enters Friday with 1,019 career kills and in 11th place in NKU history in that category. Deb Holford currently ranks No. 10 in Norse history with 1,047 career kills, and Holmes could vault past Holford this weekend.

NKU has now defeated Bellarmine 28 consecutive times. The Norse have not lost to the Knights since the 1992 GLVC Tournament.

NKU ranks No. 2 in the GLVC in hitting percentage at .268. Indianapolis is No. 1 at .274.

In addition to Indianapolis, NKU will also play host to Saint Joseph's at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Norse continue the homestand Monday at 7 p.m. when West Virginia State visits Regents Hall.