Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Photo gallery | Box score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Just when it appeared the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team was on the verge of knocking off nationally ranked Indianapolis on Friday night, the Norse could not find the mark offensively and four consecutive attacking errors in the fifth set doomed the upset attempt.

Indianapolis rallied from a 13-10 deficit in the fifth set and scored the final five points – the last four on NKU attacking errors – to post a 15-13 victory in Regents Hall. The Greyhounds, ranked 19th nationally in the NCAA Division II poll, won the match by scores of 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 19-25, 15-13.

With the fifth set tied at 8-all, Sarah Drennen converted two straight attacks to give NKU a 10-8 lead. Kelly Morrissey then added a kill to extend the Norse advantage to 11-8.

Indianapolis fought back and pulled to within 11-10, but a kill by Drennen followed by a Greyhound attacking error extended the NKU lead to 13-10. Courtney Anglemyer stopped the NKU run with a kill to make it 13-11, setting the stage for the Norse attacking miscues.

Morrissey's attack at 13-11 was just long and brought Indianapolis within a point at 13-12. Drennen's next two attacks also resulted in errors, giving Indianapolis match point. Shelby Buschur attempted to tie the set, but her attack also sailed long to give Indianapolis the victory.

Drennen hammered down 19 kills to lead NKU, which dropped to 15-12 overall, 5-4 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Buschur and Noelle Peterson both added 13 kills for the Norse, who have lost four straight matches.

Kylee Tarantino led the NKU defense with 23 digs, while teammate Anna Prickel added 16 digs. Katie Sommer hit .583 with seven kills for NKU, which attacked at a .214 clip for the match.

Kristina Hefferan led Indianapolis (18-6 overall, 7-2 GLVC) with 16 kills. The Greyhounds – who have won nine straight - hit .271 for the match, including .333 in the fifth set. NKU attacked at just a .143 clip in the final set.

Indianapolis is ranked No. 5 in the latest Midwest Region poll, while NKU is No. 7. The top eight teams in those rankings will receive berths in the NCAA Tournament next month.

NKU concludes the weekend action Saturday in Regents Hall with a GLVC match against Saint Joseph's at 3 p.m.