NORTHERN GOES 3-0 AT NSIC-NCC CROSSOVER

Sept. 7-8, 2001

Northern State is doing its best to get noticed, defeating four North Central Conference schools in the past four days.

After surprising fifth-ranked North Dakota State at home earlier in the week, the Wolves boarded the bus for the NCC-NSIC Crossover in Rochester, Minn., and rode their wave of momentum through the weekend. On Friday, NSU outlasted Nebraska-Omaha, which received votes in the latest AVCA top 25 poll, 3-2 (32-30, 28-30, 17-30, 30-20, 15-12). On Saturday, the Wolves had a much easier time, dispatching St. Cloud State 3-0 (30-24, 30-24, 30-16) and South Dakota 3-0 (30-28, 30-24, 30-20). NSU was the only team in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference to go undefeated for the weekend.

Junior middle blocker Christi Lucas (White, S.D.) went off over the weekend, leading the Wolves in kills against both UNO (15) and USD (13) while hitting over at least .400 in both matches. She also led the Wolves with 18 blocks on the weekend. Against St. Cloud State, junior outside hitter Stephanie Tschetter (Huron, S.D.) led the team with 13 kills at a .455 hitting clip. Junior Elisa LaFrance (Spearfish, S.D.) led the Wolves defensively with 36 digs on the weekend.

Now on a five-match winning streak, NSU (6-5) will head into the conference season on a high this week and will need that confidence against defending conference champion Minnesota State-Moorhead. The Dragons come to town Friday, Sept. 14 for a 7 p.m. match. A day later, the Wolves will host Minnesota-Crookston at 4 p.m. For complete scores on the NSIC-NCC Crossover, see the NSIC website.