Sept. 22, 2000

NKU DEFEATS IPFW ON FRIDAY

12th-ranked Norse extend home winning streak to 40

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Junior middle hitter Julie Hathorn recorded three kills and a key service ace in the fifth game Friday night as the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team rallied to defeat Indiana-Purdue University at Fort Wayne, 15-7, 6-15, 15-12, 11-15, 15-13, in Regents Hall. NKU trailed 11-9 when Hathorn picked up a kill and an ace to tie the score at 11-11. With the Norse holding a 14-13 lead later in the game, IPFW’s Courtney Boissenet served the ball out of bounds to give NKU the victory. Hathorn had 14 kills and six aces for NKU, which improved to 10-2 overall, 4-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Norse also extended their home winning streak to 40 consecutive matches. The last team to beat NKU in Regents Hall was the University of New Haven, which knocked off the Norse in four games on Nov. 9, 1997. Junior outside hitter Bethany Gastright led the Norse with 27 kills, and senior middle hitter Jessica Buroker added 15 kills and 19 digs. Buroker also had five blocks. NKU has won 54 consecutive matches against GLVC opponents in Regents Hall dating back to Sept. 3, 1995, when IPFW defeated the Norse in five games. NKU also owns 38 consecutive victories against GLVC opponents after Friday’s victory over IPFW. The last time NKU lost to a GLVC opponent was on the road at Southern Illinois at Edwardsville on Sept. 25, 1998, when the Cougars defeated the Norse in five games. NKU, ranked 12th nationally in the Division II poll, will play host to Saint Joseph’s College at 2 p.m. Saturday in Regents Hall.