Welcome to the definitive home for Norse Athletics.
From the pitch to the hardwood and across the diamond, Valhalla Voice delivers every milestone, every turning point, and every evolution in Norse sports. Our saga unfolds every Wednesday morning. The volume may shift with the seasons, but if it impacts the black and gold, you will find it here.
As we launch this inaugural edition, I want this platform to grow with the community. What do you value most — in-depth player profiles, recruiting updates, tactical breakdowns? Your feedback shapes our coverage. Share your thoughts in the comments or connect on social media.
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Mens Hoops:
It was a night to remember at Truist Arena this past Saturday. In a gritty, 67–62 Homecoming victory over Milwaukee, Head Coach Darrin Horn reached a career milestone with his 300th collegiate win. The atmosphere was electric as Dan Gherezgher’s late-game heroics and a clutch steal by Donovan Oday iced the game, snapping a five-game skid and putting the Norse back in the win column.
[Link: Read More on Coach Horn’s Journey to 300 Wins]
The State of the Horizon: With the win, NKU moves to 15–11 overall and 7–8 in conference play. While the Norse currently sit in 7th place, the standings are razor-thin; they remain just one game back of 5th and a mere 1.5 games out of a top-four seed. With the tournament on the horizon, every possession matters.
Up Next: The Norse head to Indianapolis this Thursday, February 12, for a crucial road test against IU Indy. Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. Check back here Thursday morning for a full tactical preview of the matchup.
Womens Hoops:
The 2025–26 NKU women’s basketball team is quickly becoming one of the most exciting stories in the Horizon League. With an 8–6 conference record and an 11–14 overall mark, the Norse are playing high-energy, high-stakes basketball that has them right in the thick of the postseason conversation.
The Norse are currently locked in a battle for a top-tier seed in the Horizon League standings. As it stands, NKU is in a prime position to host a first-round tournament matchup at Truist Arena on Wednesday, March 4. In a league where home-court advantage is everything, securing a high seed in the final weeks of February will be the difference-maker for a deep March run.
Softball
Norse Softball Ignites Season; Makaree Chapman Claims League Honors
The Norse softball season is underway, and the team wasted no time making its presence felt. Picked to finish tied for third in the Horizon League Preseason Poll, NKU enters 2026 as a legitimate title contender. A full season preview will follow this weekend, but the opening weekend already delivered headline-worthy performances.
The standout story was the dominant debut of freshman Makaree Chapman. In her first collegiate action, Chapman earned Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors after a masterclass in the circle, allowing just one run over 11.2 innings — a remarkable start for any player, let alone a true freshman.
The Road Ahead: The Norse continue their travels at the Carolina Classic in Chapel Hill, facing a demanding five-game slate. Fans can catch the team in Highland Heights on March 10–11 for the home-opening series.
Key Home Dates to Watch:
April 15 (vs. Kentucky)
March 13–15 (Norse Invitational)
Baseball
First Pitch: Friday, Feb 13 @ South Carolina
The NKU baseball program begins its 2026 campaign with a major opening weekend challenge against the University of South Carolina at Founders Park.
The Norse’s home opener is Tuesday, Feb 24 vs. Morehead State (2 p.m.)
Stopper of the Year Watchlist (best relief pitcher in the country): Shawn Parnell & Logan Wilson
Opening Rotation: Evan Fry | EJ Miramontes | Eli Green
Norse baseball Schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) |
| Feb 13–15 | @ South Carolina | 4 PM, 2 PM, 1:30 PM |
| Feb 17 | @ Eastern Kentucky | 3 PM |
| Feb 20 | @ ULM (New Orleans) | 12 PM |
| Feb 21 | @ New Orleans | 5 PM |
| Feb 22 | @ Alabama A&M (New Orleans) | 12 PM |
| Feb 24 | Morehead State | 2 PM |
| Feb 27–Mar 1 | Eastern Illinois | 2 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM |
| Mar 3 | @ Indiana | 4 PM |
| Mar 6–8 | @ Florida State | 6 PM, 2 PM, 1 PM |
| Mar 10 | Toledo | 3 PM |
| Mar 13–15* | Milwaukee | 3 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM |
| Mar 17 | @ Louisville | 6 PM |
| Mar 20–22* | @ Oakland | 3 PM, 2 PM, 1 PM |
| Mar 24 | Bellarmine | 3 PM |
| Mar 27–29* | Youngstown State | 3 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM |
| Mar 31 | @ Bellarmine | 3 PM |
| Apr 2–4* | @ Wright State | 3 PM, 3 PM, 2 PM |
| Apr 7 | @ Tennessee | 6 PM |
| Apr 10–12 | UNC Greensboro | 3 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM |
| Apr 14 | Ohio | 3 PM |
| Apr 17–19* | @ Milwaukee | 4 PM, 3 PM, 2 PM |
| Apr 21 | @ Ohio | 5:30 PM |
| Apr 24–26* | Oakland | 3 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM |
| Apr 28 | Eastern Kentucky | 3 PM |
| May 1–3* | @ Youngstown State | 3 PM, 3 PM, 1 PM |
| May 5 | Miami (Hamilton) | 3 PM |
| May 8–10* | Wright State | 3 PM, 1 PM, 12 PM |
| May 12 | @ Kentucky | 6:30 PM |
| May 14–16 | @ USC Upstate | 6 PM, 6 PM, 1 PM |
| May 20–23 | Horizon League Tournament | TBD |
Mens Volleyball
This season marks the inaugural year of NKU Men’s Volleyball, and with any new program, early growing pains were expected. The Norse are competing in the MIVA (Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association), a powerhouse conference featuring national heavyweights such as Ohio State, Loyola Chicago, and Ball State.
As the program develops, we’ll break down the tactical demands of competing in one of the nation’s premier men’s volleyball leagues. The conference features a competitive mix of Division I and Division II programs, and while the Norse currently sit at 1–6 (with a win over Thomas More already secured), the foundation is being established inside Regents Hall.
*All Photos courtsey of NKU Athletics or Hunter Sansom
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