 |
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Only a handful of college volleyball teams around the nation can claim to own 14 consecutive 20-win seasons. Northern Kentucky University can do just that, and the Norse hope to make it 15 straight 20-win seasons in 2007. The return of four starters from last year’s 20-13 campaign should make getting to the 20-win mark an attainable goal, and the presence of two-time All-America selection Liz Holmes could elevate NKU into contention for the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship this fall. Holmes enters her senior season with 1,295 career kills, which ranks eighth in Norse history. A year ago, the powerhouse middle hitter led the GLVC in hitting percentage (.396, which was No. 3 nationally) and earned a spot on the All-GLVC first team for the third straight season. She is now aiming to become the only three-time All-American in NKU volleyball history. Norse head coach Carlos Chia said Holmes is definitely one of the top players in the nation, and that she could be the best in the GLVC this season. “Liz does so many things besides attack. She plays great defense, is a good server and is a fine leader,” Chia said. “The fact she is a two-time All-American says a great deal about her talent and ability. I look for her to challenge for GLVC Player of the Year honors this season, and she is our go-to player.” Also returning is senior outside hitter Tristen Dye, who earned a spot on the All-GLVC first team last season. Dye finished with 399 kills and hit .282 as a junior. She also recorded 314 digs and served up 39 aces.
“Tristen is entering her fourth year as a starter, and she is a great competitor. Her experience and leadership will be very important for us this season,” Chia said. Junior right-side hitter Kristina Eisenmenger was named All-GLVC second team after notching 420 kills and a .340 hitting percentage. She also earned a spot on the Daktronics All-Great Lakes Region second team. Senior middle hitter Elizabeth Droessler and senior defensive specialist Brittany Dixon add experience to the roster. Junior Natalie Forbes will step in at setter for four-year starter Andrea Lanham, who finished second in Norse history with 4,726 assists. Sophomore defensive specialist Megan Dooley is back after finishing with 56 service aces last season. Dooley’s bazooka-like serve helped her rank fourth in the GLVC in aces last fall. Chia’s recruiting class includes two-time NJCAA All-America libero Katie Latenser, who helped Johnson County Community College win the 2005 national championship. University of Cincinnati transfer Laurie Weber could also challenge for playing time at setter. Four freshmen - outside hitter Chelsea Clark, middle blocker Annie Lucas, middle hitter Samantha Williams and outside/middle hitter Morgan Elyea - also join the team in 2007. “We have some experience, but we also have new players who will have to learn our system,” Chia said. “Our conference is loaded with good teams, and the Great Lakes Region is one of the best in the nation. Our schedule is very tough, but you have to play good teams if you want to compete for the NCAA Tournament." Southern Illinois at Edwardsville and Lewis were selected as the favorites to claim division crowns in the preseason poll. SIUE, in its final season in the GLVC after announcing its intention to reclassify to NCAA Division I status, is the pick to claim the GLVC West. SIUE (29-6 last season, 16-0 GLVC) received 36 total points and six first-place votes to top the GLVC West poll. The Cougars, defending GLVC regular-season champions, return four starters from last year’s NCAA Division II Tournament participant. Lewis was the choice to win the GLVC East. The Flyers (25-6, 14-2 GLVC) captured the GLVC Tournament championship last season and received 35 points and five first-place votes. NKU and Indianapolis tied for second place in the GLVC East preseason poll with 29 total points. NKU also received two first-place votes from the coaches. This will mark the first time since 2001 that GLVC volleyball has gone to divisional play. Each school will play divisional foes twice during the season and teams in the opposite division once. The top three teams from each division and two wild-card squads will advance to the GLVC Tournament Nov. 8-10.
|
