Aug. 7, 2002

NKU TABBED GLVC PRESEASON FAVORITE

Norse aim for sixth consecutive GLVC championship

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team has been voted by league coaches as the 2002 preseason favorite to capture the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship. NKU, which posted a 28-5 record and won its fifth straight GLVC championship last season, received nine first-place votes in the ballot. The University of Southern Indiana, last season’s GLVC runner-up, received one first-place vote and is No. 2 in the poll. Lewis University is No. 3 in the poll, followed by Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and University of Indianapolis to round out the top five teams. NKU returns six letterwinners from last year’s team, and the Norse add seven newcomers to the roster in 2002. Junior outside hitter Cammi Welter had 374 kills and 388 digs last season and is NKU’s top returning player. Sophomore outside hitter Kristin Koralewski, a transfer from Northern Michigan University who earned Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2000, is NKU’s top newcomer. The Norse will begin the season on Sept. 5 at the University of Tampa. Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Volleyball Poll School (first-place votes, total points) 1. Northern Kentucky (9) - 98 2. Southern Indiana (1) - 79 3. Lewis - 75 4. SIU-Edwardsville (1) - 74 5. Indianapolis - 72 6. Quincy - 60 7. Wisconsin-Parkside - 47 8. Missouri-St. Louis - 39 9. Saint Joseph’s - 32 10. Bellarmine - 19 11. Kentucky Wesleyan - 10