HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The long wait is finally over. Northern Kentucky University volleyball will open its 2012 home season on Tuesday against its toughest opponent yet, the defending Atlantic Sun Conference champions Lipscomb. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
The match marks the beginning of a three-match home stand for the Norse that will conclude this weekend when NKU hosts A-Sun foes North Florida on Friday and Jacksonville on Saturday.
The Norse enter Tuesday's showdown sporting a record of 12-1 after sweeping through the Hampton Inn Invitational, hosted by Bryant University. The Norse defeated the host Bulldogs, 3-0, before claiming a 3-0 win over Holy Cross (Mass.) and a 3-1 victory over Akron.
Jenna Schreiver was named the tournament's MVP after averaging 11.4 assists per set over the three weekend matches. The senior added 28 digs, five blocks and four service aces.
Shelby Buschur was also named to the all-tournament team, leading the Norse with 34 kills on the strength of a .397 hitting percentage.
Tuesday's showdown will mark the first meeting between the Norse and the Lady Bisons. Despite Lipscomb's 3-8 record entering A-Sun play, NKU can ill afford to take the Lady Bisons lightly. LU was picked to win the A-Sun for a fourth-straight year in the league's preseason poll and has played a blistering non-conference schedule that has included the likes of Kentucky, North Carolina, Missouri, Arizona, and Western Kentucky.
BUSCHUR SEEKS BREAKTHROUGH: With 977 kills entering Tuesday's match,
Shelby Buschur is just 23 kills away from becoming the 16
th member of NKU's 1,000-kill club. She is looking to become the third Norse to achieve this feat in the last two years, as
Noelle Peterson and
Sarah Drennen each notched their 1,000
th kills in 2011.
TARANTINO NOW FOURTH: Kylee Tarantino reached another milestone in her climb up the NKU career digs list, eclipsing Peggy Ziegler's 1,332 digs to become fourth all-time at NKU. Tarantino stands at 1,352 career digs following last weekend's play and now needs 166 digs to pass Colleen Kaufman for third all-time.
FAST FIFTY: NKU head coach
Liz Hart picked up her 50
th coaching victory on Friday in a 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-20) win over Bryant, needing just 65 matches to reach the milestone.
PARKING NOTE: Due to the Alumni Lecture Series event occurring at the James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union, please allow ample time to park and arrive for Tuesday's match.
