Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Photo gallery | Box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Noelle Peterson and Kim Nemcek each collected 11 kills Thursday night to lead the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team to a 25-13, 25-21, 25-18 win against Illinois-Springfield.

Peterson attacked at a .417 clip for NKU, which improved to 18-10 overall, 8-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Nemcek hit .400 and added three blocks for the Norse, who attacked at a .371 clip for the match.

The NKU offense hit a sizzling .565 in the first set en route to a 25-13 win. After falling behind 7-4, NKU ended the first set with a 21-6 run. Norse freshman middle hitter Shelby Buschur hammered down four kills in the opening set, while freshman Kelly Morrissey added three kills.

Buschur finished with six kills and hit .667 for the match. She also added two blocks.

Sarah Drennen served up four aces for NKU, which finished with 14 aces as a team. Kylee Tarantino and Chelsea Clark each served up three aces for the Norse. NKU defensive specialist Megan Dooley, who was honored prior to the match as the team's lone senior, added an ace and three digs.

NKU freshman setter Jenna Schreiver finished with 36 assists, five digs and three kills.

Courtnee Brown led Illinois-Springfield (9-18 overall, 1-10 GLVC) with 12 kills. The Prairie Stars are in their first season as members of the GLVC.

NKU concludes its home season Sunday at noon when Quincy visits Regents Hall. NKU switched its normal Friday-Saturday GLVC weekend to Thursday and Sunday in order to accommodate the Kentucky High School Athletic Association‚s state volleyball tournament, which will be held Friday and Saturday in Regents Hall.

The Norse hit the road next week for GLVC matches at Missouri S&T and Missouri-St. Louis. NKU needs two wins to extend its streak of consecutive 20-win seasons to 17. The Norse have three regular-season matches remaining before heading to the GLVC Tournament, which begins Nov. 13.