Both the Women’s Soccer and Volleyball teams ended their seasons last week with defeats in the NCAA tournament.

The volleyball team fell to Grand Valley State University 3-0 (30-20, 30-27, 30-25) in the regional finals. It marked the third time in four years the Norse have been knocked out by the Lakers. The win gives GVSU its fourth straight regional championship.

Junior Kristin Koralewski led NKU, collecting 14 kills, with senior Nicole Salisbury pitching in with six kills and 11 digs.

The Lakers were led by Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference player of the year Sabrina Bird, who finished with 14 kills, four blocks and a .684 hitting percentage.

The Norse finish the season at 26-12, winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular-season title and advancing to their seventh straight NCAA tournament appearance.

The Norse graduate three key seniors (Sara Taylor, Cammi Welter, and Salisbury),

But the team will return with Great Lakes Valley Conference player of the year Koralewski and a strong supporting cast that should be able to repeat on this season’s success.

The Lady Norse soccer team fell in overtime to Nebraska-Omaha in the NCAA Division II national quarterfinals.

Megan Pile headed a corner kick into the net at the 96:13 mark to give the Mavericks the win and a berth in the NCAA Final Four.

Amy Law, Amy Martini and Laurel Chalk attempted two goals a piece for the Norse but all were denied by Maverick goalie, Amy Price, who collected her twelfth shutout of the season.

The loss ended an impressive tournament run, in which NKU knocked off Ashland in a shootout, and top-seeded Grand Valley State in round number two in order to advance to the Elite Eight for the fourth year in a row.

Senior Kendra Zinser finished with three of the Norse’ four goals in the 4-3 second round victory.

NKU finishes the season with a 17-3-4 record, winning the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular season championship and advancing to its sixth NCAA tournament in six tries.

NKU graduates five seniors (Kristen Polosky, Megan Zalla, Aisling Callaghan, Becky Schneiders, and Zinser), but returns GLVC Freshman of the Year, Amy Law along with goalie Sam Westerling, and should better on the programs 125-25-11 all-time record.