HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -
Kristina Eisenmenger finished with nine kills and a .643 hitting percentage as Northern Kentucky University defeated Saint Joseph's in three sets Friday night in Regents Hall.
Kim Nemcek added eight kills for NKU, which won by scores of 25-17, 26-24, 25-18.
Natalie Forbes dished out 38 assists as the Norse improved to 10-3 overall, 3-1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
NKU attacked at a .287 clip as a team and limited Saint Joseph's to a .079 hitting percentage. The Norse overcame 14 service errors by serving up nine aces and finishing with 14 block assists and one solo block. The smaller Pumas managed three solo blocks and four block assists.
Sarah Drennen collected seven kills and served up three aces for NKU.
Katie Latenser also finished with three aces and added seven digs, while
Chelsea Clark led the defense with 11 digs.
Noelle Peterson contributed six kills, while
Kelsey Wesaw added five kills. NKU is now 34-5 all-time against Saint Joseph's (6-6 overall, 1-2 GLVC), and the Norse have beaten the Pumas 15 consecutive times.
Saint Joseph's last victory against NKU occurred on Nov. 3, 2000, when the Pumas pulled out a five-set win over the Norse at Rensselaer, Ind.
The victory also sets up a GLVC East Division showdown with Indianapolis - which is ranked 23rd nationally in the NCAA Division II poll - at 3 p.m. Saturday in Regents Hall.
Indianapolis is 11-2 overall, 4-0 in the GLVC after sweeping Bellarmine on Friday night. Indianapolis has defeated NKU six consecutive times dating back to 2005. NKU does own a 34-9 lead in the all-time series.
