 |
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The magic of modern technology helped lure Katie Latenser to Northern Kentucky University to continue her education and play collegiate volleyball. The fact NKU is so close to Cincinnati didn’t hurt, either. Latenser, a native of Kansas City, Mo., and a transfer from Johnson County Community College, learned about NKU’s sports business program while on the Internet. With a goal of someday working in either college or professional sports, Latenser said she liked what that program has to offer for NKU students. “I was looking at the programs on-line and read about the NKU sports business program, and that was one of the reasons I decided on Northern Kentucky. I was really impressed with it, and getting a degree in that field is going to help,” Latenser said. “I really like Carlos (Chia) and wanted to be a part of the NKU volleyball program. There is a great tradition here, and I really like the players.” But NKU’s proximity to Cincinnati - and the Queen City’s similarity to her hometown of Kansas City - helped in the decision-making process for Latenser. “Being close to Cincinnati made NKU very attractive to me, because it’s a lot like Kansas City and there is plenty to do in this area,” she said. On the volleyball court, Chia expects a great deal from Latenser. The 5-foot-6 libero earned NJCAA All-America honors twice while at Johnson County, and Chia is hoping her skills in the back row will help his team collect its 15th consecutive 20-win season. “Katie strives to be consistent in her approach towards being a player, and she is always focused," Chia said. "She has a natural ability to play the defensive position. She comes from a program in which expectations are set high, just as it is with ours, and she is blending in very well with our system of play." Latenser knows something about winning. She helped Johnson County capture the 2005 NJCAA national championship. Last season, Johnson County placed ninth nationally in the NJCAA. “The coaches (head coach Jill Stinson and assistant Jenny Ei) were very helpful in my development as a volleyball player,” Latenser said of her experience at Johnson County. As a prep athlete, Latenser was part of a Notre Dame de Sion team that won the state championship in 2001. She also lettered in basketball for the Storm. Latenser joins an NKU squad that posted a 20-13 overall record last season. The Norse are picked to finish second by the coaches in the Great Lakes Valley Conference East Division preseason poll. |
