HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky's volleyball team went 2-0 this spring, defeating Miami University 5-0 and Xavier 4-1 to augment more program success.

The Norse had 35 blocks over the 10 spring sets, an impressive 3.50 average. As a benchmark, NCAA blocks leader Maryland averaged 3.11 blocks over the course of 112 sets throughout 2021. 
 
The Norse have excelled nationally, in the conference, in the classroom and in the community in recent years. Here's a closer look:

In the Country
NKU had back-to-back Top 60 RPI Seasons with 20 wins in 2021…Anna Brinkmann was a two-time All-Region Honorable Mention…The Norse were No. 17 in blocks per set and No. 36 in total blocks and sixth in aces allowed in 2021…NKU had 21 blocks against Wright State in the Horizon League semifinals, which was the eighth-best blocking game of the year in 2021…NKU was first nationally in digs per set in 2019…Miranda Wucherer was fifth in triple doubles two years in a row (2020, 2021)…Coach Liz Hart is 74^th in winning percentage…NKU versus Olympians: 1-0…The Norse have dominated the region with wins over UC, Xavier, Ohio and Miami University.

In the Conference 
NKU has had the toughest Strength of Schedule among Horizon League conference mates two years in a row, with games versus  No. 1 Louisville, No. 10 Ohio St, No. 18 Cincinnati, No. 19 Western Kentucky, No. 29 Ball State and No. 40 Michigan. The Norse had the 20th toughest schedule in the country in 2019…NKU garnered First Team All-Horizon League awards for Anna Brinkmann, Reilly Briggs and Abby Kanakry in 2021…Joy Banks and Sequoia Hunt were on the All-Freshman Team…NKU players won six Horizon League Volleyball players of the week awards the past two seasons…Liz Hart was named Horizon League coach of the year in 2021…the Norse have finished in their conference semifinals or better for eight straight seasons…NKU won a conference championship in 2019.

In The Classroom
NKU had five players on All-Academic Team the last two seasons…NKU won the US Marine Core and AVCA Team Academic Award…Miranda Wucherer claimed a CoSIDA Academic All-District Award…The team's collective GPA for Fall 2021 semester was 3.62…Two student-athletes had perfect 4.0 GPAs in the Fall 2021 semester…NKU had a 3.75 Team GPA in  the Spring semester of 2020…Student-athletes' majors include Exercise Science, Social Work, Biology, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Medicine, Sports Business, Marketing, Journalism, Communications, Accounting and Elementary Education.

In The Community
NKU's volleyball team has volunteered at Matthew 25: Ministries and coached children at the Bethany School…The Norse have worked at FUEL NKU to help feed the NKU population in need…NKU student-athletes are helping with Special Olympics Swimming and sending letters to regional veteran hospitals…The Norse volunteerism includes Redwood, an Northern Kentucky organization that serves children and adults with severe and multiple disabilities, and Habitat for Humanity through ReStore…100% voter registration.