Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score

INDIANAPOLIS - Normally the top offensive volleyball team in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, Northern Kentucky University was held to a .220 hitting percentage Saturday night during a four-set loss to Indianapolis in the GLVC Tournament semifinals.

NKU dropped a hard-fought 25-21, 31-29, 22-25, 25-20 decision to top-seeded Indianapolis in the Ruth Lilly Center. The 16th-ranked Norse (25-5) entered Saturday sporting a .297 hitting percentage, but Indianapolis slowed down the NKU offense with 14 team blocks.

The 21st-ranked Greyhounds attacked at a .265 clip and improved to 21-7 overall. Indianapolis also advanced to Sunday's GLVC Tournament championship match against No. 17 Lewis. Kristina Hefferan led Indianapolis with 20 kills, and she also hit .372 for the match.

Sarah Drennen recorded 19 kills and attacked at a .326 clip to lead NKU. Drennen also collected her 1,000th career kill and became just the 15th player in Norse history to reach that milestone.

Noelle Peterson added 14 kills for the Norse, while Shelby Buschur and Gennie Galfano each finished with nine kills. The match featured 31 ties and 10 lead changes, and Indianapolis stole the momentum in the second frame by staving off a set point at 27-26 and rallying for a 31-29 win.

The Greyhounds have now beaten the Norse seven consecutive times at home, with NKU's last road victory in the series coming on Oct. 29, 2004.

NKU, ranked fifth in the Midwest Region poll, is still expected to receive an at-large berth to the NCAA Division II Tournament. Hillsdale (Mich.) or Ferris State is expected be the host for that event, which will begins next week.

Pairings for the NCAA Division II Tournament will be announced Sunday night.