Kim Nemcek (8) returned to the NKU lineup and collected nine kills.
NKU/Ashland box score
INDIANAPOLIS –
Kim Nemcek's return to the Northern Kentucky University lineup was a success Saturday as the Norse opened the season by sweeping past Ashland, 25-22, 25-22, 25-16, at the Indianapolis Invitational.
Nemcek, a 2009 All-Midwest Region performer who sat out with an injury last season, collected nine kills and attacked at a .500 clip against Ashland. The senior middle hitter also finished with seven digs.
Junior middle hitter
Shelby Buschur led NKU with 13 kills and a .579 hitting percentage. Junior setter
Jenna Schreiver directed the NKU offense to a .337 hitting percentage with 36 assists.
The NKU defense finished with a 47-31 edge in digs and limited Ashland to a .158 hitting percentage. Junior libero
Kylee Tarantino collected 15 digs to lead the Norse defense.
Senior outside hitter
Sarah Drennen added eight kills for NKU, which is now 17-6 all-time against Ashland.
Noelle Peterson finished with seven kills and attacked at a .385 clip, while teammate
Gennie Galfano added five kills and hit .625.
Peterson, a senior outside hitter, upped her career kills total to 980. She is looking to become the 14th player in Norse history to join the 1,000-kills club.
NKU will meet West Florida later tonight at 8 p.m. West Florida, which finished with a 30-7 record last year, is ranked 19th nationally in the AVCA's NCAA Division II preseason poll.
The Norse conclude the event Sunday with matches against Florida Tech (noon) and regional rival Saginaw Valley State (2 p.m.).
