HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team takes its rocket-hot start to the 2012 season into this weekend's Harvard Invitational in Cambridge, Mass.
The Norse will take on Providence on Friday before facing Manhattan and the host Harvard on Saturday. Live stats and video links are available at NKUNorse.com. Additionally, fans can follow the team's trip to the Boston area through its Facebook page at facebook.com/nkunorsevball.
This weekend will mark the first meeting for the Norse against any of the other three tournament participants.
NKU extended its season-opening winning streak to seven games last weekend after sweeping the Comfort Inn & Suites Invitational at Morehead State. The Norse battled to take a tough 3-1 decision over the host Eagles in the opener before besting Alabama A&M, 3-0, in last Friday's nightcap. Saturday saw the Norse finish the job with a 3-1 decision over Evansville.
Kelly Morrissey was named the tournament MVP, while
Jenna Schreiver and
Shelby Buschur each earned spots on the all-tournament team.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kelly Morrissey earn Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week honors for her efforts in last weekend's tournament as well as against Wright State in mid-week action. The senior posted 47 kills, 42 digs, eight blocks and five service aces across four matches and 14 sets. In Saturday's 3-1 win over Evansville, Morrissey had a career-high 18 kills and added 14 digs, marking her third double-double of the week.
“TARAN” UP THE CHARTS: Senior defensive specialist
Kylee Tarantino continues her march up the career digs list at NKU. Tarantino, currently the team's defensive leader with 115 digs, enters this weekend with 1,259 career digs, needing 12 to pass Chelsea Clark for fifth all-time. Jenny Jeremiah is NKU's all-time digs leader, collecting 2,050 from 1996-99.
RIGHT TIME FOR RUBLE: Sophomore middle blocker
Jenna Ruble has turned into NKU's most efficient attacker in the early part of the season, entering the weekend with a .378 attack percentage, good enough to lead both the team and the A-Sun. In 98 attempts, Ruble has 47 kills and just 10 attack errors.
SWEET SIXTEEN: Shelby Buschur is on track to become NKU's 16th member of the 1,000-kills club, entering this weekend with 907 career kills. Buschur would become the third Norse in the last two years to accomplish the feat after
Noelle Peterson and
Sarah Drennen each hammered home their 1,000th kill during the 2011 season.
LEADING THE WAY: The Norse have taken the lead in practically every team offensive category among A-Sun teams early in the season. NKU's .248 hitting percentage, 13.40 assists per set, 14.68 kills per set and 2.04 service aces per set are tops in the league. The Norse also boast a .155 opponent hitting percentage, ranking second in the league behind Mercer (.154).
RARE COMPANY: NKU's torrid start to the 2012 season has the team in rarified company, as NKU is one of just 29 undefeated teams remaining in Division I this season. The team's 7-0 record entering this weekend is believed to be the best start by a reclassifying Division I program in its inaugural season since the institution of the NCAA Division I national championship in 1981. Further, NKU is the first Atlantic Sun team to open the season 7-0 since Florida Atlantic, which won its first 15 matches in 2005 en route to a 29-3 record and an A-Sun championship.
