NKU senior Noelle Peterson (right) is nearing 1,000 career kills.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team opens the season Saturday by playing regional foe Ashland at 11 a.m. at the Indianapolis Invitational.
NKU, which posted a 20-14 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament last season, also meets West Florida at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Norse conclude the event Sunday with matches against Florida Tech (noon) and regional rival Saginaw Valley State (2 p.m.).
Ashland posted a 17-13 record last season and is picked second in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference South Division preseason poll. NKU defeated Ashland in three sets last season during the Great Lakes Valley Conference/GLIAC Crossover at Aurora, Ill.
West Florida, which finished with a 30-7 record last year, is ranked 19th nationally in the AVCA's NCAA Division II preseason poll. Saginaw Valley State finished with a record of 14-12 last season, while Florida Tech posted a 10-21 mark in 2010.
NKU is looking to reach the 20-win plateau for the 19th consecutive season. The Norse are picked third in the GLVC East Division preseason poll.
NKU AGAINST THE FIELD: NKU is 16-6 all-time against Ashland, 0-1 against West Florida, 0-2 against Florida Tech and 5-3 against Saginaw Valley State.
NEARING 900 WINS: The NKU volleyball program enters this season with an all-time record of 880-398.
PETERSON APPROACHES MILESTONE: NKU senior outside hitter
Noelle Peterson enters this season with 973 career kills. Peterson, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., is looking to become the 14th player in Norse history to join the 1,000-kills club.
