Southeast Oklahoma Box
Northwest Missouri Box

OMAHA, Neb. - The Northern State University volleyball squad kicked off a new era of play under first-year head coach Brent Aldridge with a 3-1 win over Southeast Oklahoma State on Friday morning as part of the University of Nebraska-Omaha Volleyball Showcase tournament before dropping a 3-1 decision to Northwest Missouri State in their afternoon match.

The tournament marks the start of the 2011 season for the Wolves and Aldridge, who took over the program in late January.

Redshirt freshman Carli Peterson registered 18 kills in her first taste of collegiate action to lead the NSU attack in the opening match.  Sophomore Paula Martins added 14 and Kaili Aiono chipped in an even dozen.  Freshman setter Morgan Richardson served up her first career 50-assist effort, finishing with 51.

The Wolves fell victim to hitting woes in their second match, hitting just .076 on the night in their loss to the Bearcats.  NSU committed 26 errors at the net and another  10 from the service line, allowing NWMSU to slip by for the win.

Peterson had 10 kills, 18 digs and a trio of service aces to pace the NSU effort.

The Wolves will take on the host UNO Mavericks tomorrow at noon before finishing off their first weekend of play against Arkansas-Ft. Smith at 4 p.m.