Anna Prickel (right) has helped NKU vault to 14th in the national poll.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team hits the road for a pair of matches this weekend, and the unbeaten Norse (8-0) will have a chance to make history Friday night when they play at Kentucky Wesleyan. First serve is set for 8 p.m. (Eastern time).
NKU's 8-0 start equals the best in program history. The 1994 Norse volleyball squad also began the season 8-0. Northwood (Mich.) ended NKU's season-opening streak at eight in 1994 with a four-set victory over the Norse in Regents Hall.
NKU is ranked 14th nationally in the latest NCAA Division II poll. The Norse are 3-0 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference after sweeping past Bellarmine on Tuesday night by scores of a 25-20, 25-16, 25-17.
NKU concludes the road trip Saturday against Southern Indiana at 4 p.m.
NKU/KWC SERIES: NKU is 40-0 all-time against Kentucky Wesleyan. The Norse have not dropped a set to Kentucky Wesleyan since Oct. 23, 1993.
Kentucky Wesleyan, in fact, has lost 144 consecutive GLVC matches going into Friday night. The Panthers' last conference victory came against Bellarmine on Oct. 31, 2001.
NKU/USI SERIES: NKU owns a 34-11 lead in the all-time series against Southern Indiana. A year ago, however, Southern Indiana swept NKU, 25-20, 28-26, 25-20, in Evansville, Ind.
DIG THIS: NKU junior libero
Kylee Tarantino averages 3.81 digs per set. Tarantino enters Friday night with 756 career digs.
HAMMER TIME: NKU junior middle hitter
Shelby Buschur has 591 career kills entering Friday's match at Kentucky Wesleyan. Norse senior outside hitter
Sarah Drennen has 743 career kills going into Friday night.
ANOTHER MEMBER LOOMS: NKU senior middle hitter
Kim Nemcek enters Friday night with 880 career kills with the Norse. She is looking to become the 15th player in Norse history to reach the 1,000-kills club. NKU senior
Noelle Peterson recorded her 1,000th career kill earlier this season.
ATOP THE GLVC: Nemcek and Buschur are 1-2 in the GLVC in hitting percentage. Nemcek is hitting .493, while Buschur is attacking at a .425 clip.
