Friday, December 03, 1999
NKU rolls into volleyball Final Four
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team took a step closer to winning its first national championship.
Second-ranked NKU beat No.12 North Alabama 15-5, 3-15, 15-12, 15-11 in an NCAA Division II quarterfinal match Thursday here in Kellogg Arena.
The Norse advance to a semifinal match against top-ranked Brigham Young University-Hawaii (28-2) at 8:30 tonight.
“I thought they played some of the best defense that we've seen all year,” said NKU coach Mary Biermann, whose team improved to 33-1 and has won 26 consecutive matches. “I think both teams struggled a bit with nerves, but we hung tough.”
Seton graduate Jenny Jeremiah, who was named a second-team All-American Wednesday, gave NKU an extra spark in setting the school record for career kills (1,605). She needed just three kills going into the match for the mark.
“It feels good,” said Jeremiah, who had 17 kills and 25 digs for the match. “I wish I could have done it at home, but that's still good.”
Jenny Huber previously held the record of 1,590 during the 1984-87 seasons.
“I think we stopped a couple of people on their team that we needed to stop, but we didn't stop (Jeremiah), which wasn't one of our focal points, and that's probably my fault,” said Matt Peck, coach at North Alabama (35-7).
This is NKU's second consecutive Elite Eight appearance. But last year the Norse were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
Bethany Gastright had 20 kills and six digs for NKU. Bobbi Casey had 57 assists.
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