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Sept. 4, 2001 |
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NKU SEEKS FOURTH STRAIGHT GLVC TITLE |
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Norse open season Sept. 7 at home against Kentucky Wesleyan |
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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - It’s been nearly four years since a Great Lakes Valley Conference opponent posted a victory against the Northern Kentucky University women’s tennis team. And, given the fact NKU returns three starters - including three-time GLVC Player of the Year Jamie O’Hara - in 2001-02, it will probably be at least another season until a conference foe can pin a loss on the Norse. NKU posted a 16-3 overall record a year ago, with all three losses coming against Division I opponents. The Norse also captured their third straight GLVC championship and enter the 2001-02 campaign having won 39 consecutive matches against GLVC foes. NKU has not lost to a GLVC foe since Lewis University posted a 5-4 win against the Norse during the 1997 GLVC Championships. That was the year prior to O’Hara’s arrival at NKU. Since then, O’Hara has gone 33-0 against GLVC opponents in No. 1 singles competition. A senior from Paducah, Ky., O’Hara is hoping to lead NKU back to the NCAA Division II Tournament - the Norse did not receive a berth last season after qualifying in both 1999 and 2000 - in her final year. O’Hara posted a 16-1 overall record last season and is 44-7 in dual matches during her career. Four of her seven losses have come against Division I opponents. First-year head coach Geoff Crawford also welcomes back seniors Amity Chapman and Christina Dausch, and the Norse add Murray State University transfer Juliana Hite to the lineup. Hite, a Boone County High School graduate, played three seasons at Murray State and will play No. 2 singles for the Norse. Elizabeth Brunsman enjoyed a solid freshman season by posting a 14-4 overall record, 9-0 in the GLVC. Brunsman will play No. 3 singles this season. A pair of freshmen, Lindsay England and Jessica Smith, add depth to the roster. NKU will begin its 2001-02 season at 3 p.m. Sept. 7 by hosting GLVC rival Kentucky Wesleyan College at the NKU tennis courts in Highland Heights, Ky. The Norse will also play host to the University of Southern Indiana at 9 a.m. on Sept. 8. |