NKU volleyball magician Lewin ends career in memorable fashion as Norse capture first GLVC title since 1985

(This article was originally published on Nov. 13, 1995)

Special to The Post

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky University's Kerry Lewin is regarded as a magician on the volleyball court around the Great Lakes Valley Conference, and the 5-foot-8 senior has shot down many opponents with her powerful jump serve.

In her final college match on Saturday, Lewin made Indiana-Purdue/Ft. Wayne’s bid for a third straight GLVC championship disappear with her all-around performance. And in doing so, Lewin helped NKU win its first GLVC title since 1985.

Lewin dominated IPFW — finishing with 25 kills, three aces and 29 digs — as NKU posted a 11-15, 15-7, 15-7, 15-7 victory in the championship match of the GLVC Tournament at Regents Hall. The Norse, in the process, extended their school-record winning streak to 27 and improved to 30-3.

"A lot of people don't realize it, but we started out the season 3-3 with a very young team," NKU head coach Mary Biermann said. "That we could pull together and win 27 straight matches and the GLVC championship is a tribute to Kerry and Colleen (Kaufman), because they never let this team get down."

The 27 consecutive wins ranks 10th all-time in NCAA Division II history.

NKU, which did not receive an NCAA Tournament bid, has posted a 60-6 the past two seasons. Lewin, who was named GLVC Player of the Year for the second straight season, ended IPFW’s two-year reign as GLVC champion with a resounding kill to finish the match in the fourth game.

That set off a raucous celebration by the NKU players — highlighted by whip crème being poured on an unsuspecting Biermann. After the GLVC championship trophy was presented to NKU, the fans in Regents Hall gave the team a thunderous standing ovation as the celebration continued.

Kaufman, who was also named All-GLVC, added 17 kills, 18 digs and five blocks against the taller IPFW front-row players.

"Colleen has been a tremendous competitor, and she was outstanding this year," Biermann said of the former Highlands High School standout. "Kerry gets most of the attention, but Colleen is one of the best volleyball players I have ever coached, too."

NKU collected 17 blocks on Saturday, while the Volleydons (24-10) managed nine.

Middle hitter Miriam Hall had four assisted blocks and a solo block for NKU, which lost to IPFW in last year’s GLVC finale.









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