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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The word probably sounds like sweet music to the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team, even if it is just late August. That word is "unbeaten," which the Norse remained Tuesday night after dispatching visiting Indiana Tech, 30-26, 30-25, 30-28, in Regents Hall. NKU improved to 5-0 - its best start since also winning five straight to open the 2000 season - behind the play of Tristen Dye and Liz Holmes, a pair of seniors who combined for 32 kills and 29 digs. Dye finished with 17 kills and 17 digs, and she attacked at a .325 clip. The senior outside hitter, who was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week on Monday, also added three service aces and ended all three games with kills. The Millersburg, Ohio, native upped her career kills total to 987, and she should become the 12th NKU player in history to reach 1,000 kills this weekend. Holmes slammed down 15 kills, added 12 digs and hit .481 for the match. The Mother of Mercy High School graduate also served up four aces. Junior setter Natalie Forbes directed the offense and finished with 47 assists. Junior right-side hitter Kristina Eisenmenger - who keyed a 7-0 run in the second game with four kills that turned a 16-all tie into a 23-16 NKU lead - added 10 kills and four blocks. Brittany Dixon, Chelsea Clark and Megan Dooley combined for 23 digs for the Norse defense. Dixon collected nine digs, while Clark and Dooley each added seven. Dooley also picked up four kills with attacks from the back row. NKU will attempt to extend its season-opening winning streak this weekend at the California (Pa.) Tournament. The Norse meet West Virginia State and California (Pa.) on Friday, and conclude the event Saturday against West Liberty State and Slippery Rock. NKU's 1999 squad, which advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four before bowing out to eventual national champion BYU-Hawaii, started the season 7-0 and finished with a 33-2 record. In both 1999 and 2000, Grand Valley State ended NKU's season-opening win streaks. The perennial powerhouse Lakers will meet NKU in Ashland, Ohio, on Sept. 7 in a regional showdown. |
