Nov. 14, 2000

NKU FACES NORTHERN MICHIGAN IN NCAAs

Norse play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Allendale, Mich.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team will meet Northern Michigan University this Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA II Great Lakes Region Tournament at Allendale, Mich. NKU enters the NCAA Division II Tournament with a 26-6 record, and the Norse are the No. 4 seed in the Great Lakes Region Tournament. Northern Michigan (18-11) is the No. 5 seed. This is NKU’s fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Grand Valley State University is the No. 1 seed and host for the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional. The Lakers are 29-3 and champions of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. If NKU defeats Northern Michigan on Thursday, the Norse will play Grand Valley State at 7:30 p.m. Friday. NKU already owns a five-game victory over Northern Michigan earlier this season in a match that was played at Marquette, Mich. NKU also played Grand Valley State on a neutral floor this season at Midland, Mich., and lost in four games to the Lakers. NKU is the four-time defending champion of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and the Norse have won the last two NCAA II Great Lakes Region titles. AGAINST NMU EARLIER THIS YEAR: Junior outside hitter Bethany Gastright recorded 33 kills and 15 digs as NKU defeated Northern Michigan University, 15-13, 20-18, 6-15, 11-15, 15-13, in the first round of the Ramada Inn Invitational at Marquette, Mich. Gastright, who tied a Vandament Arena record with the 33 kills in that match, also had a .414 hitting percentage. Senior middle hitter Jessica Buroker had 23 kills and 19 digs, and junior middle hitter Julie Hathorn added 11 kills, two service aces and three blocks. Northern Michigan leads the all-time series with NKU, 8-4. The Wildcats and NKU have met once in the NCAA Division II Tournament (1997). That match was played at Marquette, Mich., and Northern Michigan defeated the Norse in four games. NKU LEADERS: Bethany Gastright is No. 1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in kills per game (5.24 kpg). Gastright has 556 kills this season, and she ranks No. 2 in the GLVC in hitting percentage at .331. Senior middle hitter Jessica Buroker leads the GLVC in hitting percentage at .402, and she has 405 kills. Junior middle hitter Julie Hathorn has 61 service aces to lead NKU, and she ranks No. 2 in the GLVC in that category. Senior setter Bobbi Casey ranks No. 1 in the GLVC in assists per game (13.32 apg). Casey now ranks No. 2 in Norse history with 3,179 career assists.   NCAA II Great Lakes Region (at Allendale, Mich.) Thursday, Nov. 16 Lewis (21-9) vs. Findlay (24-11), 5 p.m. NKU (26-6) vs. Northern Michigan (18-11), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 Northwood (29-4) vs. Lewis/Findlay winner, 5 p.m. Grand Valley State (29-3) vs. NKU/Northern Michigan winner, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 Championship, 7 p.m.