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Nov. 15, 2001 |
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NKU DEFEATS NORTHERN MICHIGAN |
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Norse advance to meet top-seeded Grand Valley State |
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ALLENDALE, Mich. - Bethany Gastright had 21 kills and a .380 hitting percentage Thursday night as the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team defeated Northern Michigan University, 29-31, 30-21, 22-30, 30-26, 15-11, in the first round of the NCAA II Great Lakes Region Tournament. Julie Hathorn added 14 kills as fourth-seeded NKU extended its winning streak to 24 and improved to 28-4. The Norse’s last loss came on Sept. 8 to Northern Michigan (22-10), which posted a four-game win over NKU in Regents Hall. Denise Barhorst recorded 12 kills and four blocks, and Sara Taylor had 50 assists. Northern Michigan was led by Michaela Franklin’s 20 kills and five blocks. The longest single-season win streak in Norse volleyball history is 27, set in 1995 when NKU won its final 27 matches of the season. NKU will meet top-seeded Grand Valley State in the Great Lakes Region semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Grand Valley State is 26-4 entering the NCAA Division II Tournament. Grand Valley State defeated NKU in three games on Sept. 7 in Regents Hall, and the Lakers eliminated the Norse from the NCAA Division II Tournament a year ago with a five-game victory at Allendale, Mich. The NCAA II Great Lakes Region Tournament championship match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday.
NCAA II Great Lakes Region (at Allendale, Mich.) Thursday, Nov. 15 #3 Northwood def. #6 Wheeling Jesuit, 3-0 #4 NKU def. #5 Northern Michigan, 3-2 Friday, Nov. 16 #2 Findlay (28-6) vs. Northwood (25-8), 5 p.m. #1 Grand Valley State (26-4) vs. NKU (28-4), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17 Championship, 7 p.m. |
