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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team spoiled Halloween eve for Bellarmine by posting a 30-27, 30-27, 31-29 victory against the Knights on Tuesday night. Liz Holmes hammered down 20 kills and attacked at a .533 clip for NKU, which improved to 25-6 overall, 13-4 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Holmes, a senior middle hitter and a graduate of Mercy High School in Cincinnati, also finished with six digs and three blocks. Tristen Dye added 15 kills and 15 digs as the 23rd-ranked Norse defeated Bellarmine for the 31st consecutive time. NKU is now 55-8 all-time against Bellarmine, which dropped to 11-16 overall, 6-11 in the GLVC. NKU has not lost to Bellarmine since the 1992 GLVC Tournament. The Norse capped the sweep Tuesday night by rallying from a 26-22 deficit in the third game with a 9-3 run. Holmes and Dye each slammed down two kills to key the NKU spurt, and freshman outside hitter Chelsea Clark converted an attack for match point. Kristina Eisenmenger finished with 10 kills and hit .474 for the Norse, who attacked at a .328 clip for the match. Eisenmenger, a junior right-side hitter and a Notre Dame Academy graduate, added four blocks, including three solos. Natalie Forbes ran the offense and dished out 46 assists. The junior setter from Highlands High School also added seven kills, eight digs and hit .700 for the match. Elizabeth Droessler collected four kills and hit .667 with two blocks. NKU closes out the regular season this weekend with road matches at Wisconsin-Parkside (Friday) and Lewis (Saturday). The Norse begin play in the GLVC Tournament on Nov. 9 at the site of the No. 1 seed, which will likely be Indianapolis. At the moment, NKU is in third place in the GLVC East Division. If the Norse finish third, they will meet the No. 2 seed from the GLVC West Division in the opening round on Nov. 9. Rockhurst is currently in second place in the GLVC West Division. The Norse are also ranked No. 4 in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Region poll. Eight teams - automatic berths for the GLVC, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as well as five at-large bids - will qualify for the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional in November. NKU is seeking its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2003.
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