Saturday, December 04, 1999
NKU falls in NCAA volleyball semis
Top-ranked BYU-Hawaii wins in 3 games
BY CRYSTAL EVOLA
Special to The Enquirer
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Top-ranked Brigham Young University-Hawaii bullied its way into its first NCAA Division II volleyball championship by defeating Northern Kentucky University 15-0, 15-5, 15-5 in Friday's semifinals here in Kellogg Arena.
BYU-Hawaii (29-2) will face the seventh-ranked University of Tampa (32-4) in a final match 7 p.m. today.
“We knew we had to play better (after the first game) and I thought we would come out and pull this one out,” said Jenny Jeremiah, who led NKU with eight kills, two aces and 11 digs. “I just didn't think it
would be like that at all.”
The Norse end their win streak at 26 matches and complete their season with a 33-2 mark.
It was NKU's first loss since dropping a four-setter to Grand Valley State University on Sept. 10.
BYU held a 10-2 lead in the second game, but NKU battled back to cut its deficit in half. However, the Seasiders went on to score five points to take control of the match.
“I watched Northern Kentucky and they ran a nice offense when they played North Alabama (in the quarterfinals),” said BYU-Hawaii coach Wilfred Navalta. "... But we made one or two adjustments with our front-court blocking.
“We definitely controlled them offensively, which was definitely key in the match.“
Brazilian powers Vanessa Valansi and Arlete Silva in particular kept NKU off balance.
“They have years of experience beyond us and talent, teamwork and everything,” NKU coach Mary Biermann said. “They've got players so strong that I've only seen on TV in the Olympics. I certainly haven't seen them in Division II or Division I.”
Valansi had 11 kills, five digs and three blocks. Silva added 10 kills, eight digs and two blocks.
For NKU, All-American Jessica Buroker had seven kills and Bobbi Casey had 19 assists.
“We've met every single one of our goals that we had,” Jeremiah said. “Obviously you don't want to go out this way, but we met our goals and I'm happy.”
Sports Stories
UC begins rocky road with Gonzaga
Xavier may abandon press
Bengals old-timers would savor beating 49ers
Heath makes mark as outdoorsman
Scott showing surprising speed
49ers Scouting Report
The Griffey story: Real and imagined
Reds add top talent scout
Rose to shill for auto paint chain
