Northern Kentucky Sports Chronicle

--- Note: This PDF document was originally published on May 22, 2009. --- The current NKU Athletics Web site launched in 1999 and has gone through considerable changes during the past 10 years. Another big change will occur this summer when NKU launches its new Web site, which will be run through Internet Consulting Services. To celebrate the 10th birthday of the NKU Athletics Web site, here are many of the players, coaches and memorable moments from the past 10 years. (click below for publication) https://online.fliphtml5.com/hfocp/xmyk/#p=1

Kerry Lewin (center) takes a final bow in front of the home fans after NKU wins the 1995 GLVC Tournament championship in Regents Hall. (Photo by Jeff McCurry) ------------------- (This column was originally published on Oct. 26, 2020) A royal coronation took place in Regents Hall 25 years ago last night. That’s when Kerry Lewin was officially crowned the NCAA’s Queen of Aces and elevated Northern Kentucky University volleyball into the national spotlight. On Oct. 25, 1995, Lewin served up her 510th career ace during a four-set victory against Mount St. Joseph. NKU’s standout outside hitter eclipsed the previous NCAA all-time record of 509, much to the delight of a large crowd that had gathered in Regents Hall to watch Lewin leap into volleyball history. Lewin’s devastating jump serve was virtually impossible to handle for most back rows at the NCAA Division II level. The Notre Dame Academy graduate led the nation in aces for two straight seasons and helped lift NKU’s volleyball progra...

(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...

(This column was originally published on Nov. 8, 2018) CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — Like any other college athlete, Jenna Fessler enjoys winning. She’s done plenty of that as a four-year starter for Thomas More’s volleyball team. A versatile setter, Fessler has led the Saints to multiple conference championships and NCAA Tournament berths. She’s also helped Thomas More emerge as one of the elite NCAA Division III programs, with the Saints climbing as high as No. 5 in the AVCA national poll this season. Obviously, Fessler knows all about winning. But her biggest victory isn’t against an opponent on the volleyball court. It’s not in the classroom, either, where the Beechwood High School graduate is an honor student. No, Fessler’s most notable triumph occurred two years ago, when she beat a hideous, life-threatening illness — the West Nile virus. AWAKENING FROM THE NIGHTMARE She remembers waking up in the hospital and asking what day of the week it was, unaware she had been in a coma the previo...

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Liz Holmes is the new queen of the kill at Northern Kentucky University, and her official coronation took place Friday night in Regents Hall. Holmes became NKU’s all-time career leaders in kills as the Norse posted a 30-26, 30-22, 29-31, 30-22 victory over Drury. The 5-foot-10 middle hitter finished with 27 kills and surpassed Bethany Gastright’s NKU record of 1,702 in the third game when she converted an attack off an assist from Natalie Forbes. The match was stopped at that point with NKU holding a 10-5 lead, and Holmes received the ball from Gastright while receiving a standing ovation. The Cincinnati Mercy High School product now has 1,714 kills at NKU. Holmes attacked at a .512 clip for the match and added 16 digs as NKU improved to 21-5 overall, 10-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Kristina Eisenmenger hammered down 25 kills for the Norse, who are ranked 25th nationally in the NCAA Division II poll. Tristen Dye finished with 22 kills, 17 digs and a ....