NKU (21-3 overall) is ranked No. 2 in the Midwest Region poll.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team is No. 2 in the NCAA Division II Midwest Region poll, which was released Wednesday.
Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference power Hillsdale (Mich.) is No. 1 in the regional poll, followed by NKU, Ferris State, Indianapolis and Lewis to round out the top five. NKU is currently 21-3 overall, 11-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Norse are No. 14 in the AVCA's national poll.
Eight teams from each region will qualify for the NCAA Division II Tournament next month. The tournament winners from both the GLVC and GLIAC receive automatic berths, and six at-large teams will also be selected for the Midwest Region field.
The No. 1 seed will be awarded the right to host the Midwest Regional.
NKU plays at No. 23 Indianapolis at 7 p.m. Friday. Indianapolis (16-6 overall) is tied for first place with Southern Indiana in the GLVC East Division with identical 12-2 records.
NKU's last road victory over the Greyhounds came on Oct. 29, 2004, when the Norse pulled out a five-set decision in the Ruth Lilly Center. Since then, NKU is 0-5 against Indianapolis on the road.
The Norse did not play at Indianapolis last season, but NKU dropped matches in the Ruth Lilly Center in 2005, '06, '07, '08 and '09. Earlier this season in Regents Hall, NKU pulled out a five-set victory against Indianapolis.
NKU holds a 36-12 lead in the all-time series against Indianapolis.
MIDWEST REGION POLL
1. Hillsdale
2. Northern Kentucky
3. Ferris State
4. Indianapolis
5. Lewis
6. Southern Indiana
7. Saginaw Valley
8. Missouri S&T
9. Missouri-St. Louis
10. Northern Michigan
