Northern Kentucky University Athletics

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HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Just a freshman, Jenna Ruble has stepped in and made a big impression during a critical stage of the season for the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team.
Ruble (pictured left) continued to get the job done at the net Saturday with six kills, six blocks and a .462 hitting percentage as NKU coasted to a 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 victory against Wisconsin-Parkside in Regents Hall. The 12th-ranked Norse shredded the Ranger defense for a .355 hitting percentage and clinched their 19th consecutive 20-win season.

NKU improved to 20-3 overall, 10-3 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The win was also No. 900 for the Norse volleyball program, which is 900-401 in 37 years of varsity competition.

After hitting .321 in the opening set en route to a 25-21 win, NKU attacked at a .407 clip in the second stanza and rolled to a 25-17 victory. Ruble sparked the Norse with three kills and two blocks in the second set.

“We definitely needed to bounce back after last night (a five-set loss to Lewis), and I thought we played really well today,” said Ruble, who has stepped in for injured standout middle hitter Kim Nemcek.

Sarah Drennen finished with 11 kills to lead the NKU offense, while Noelle Peterson and Shelby Buchur each added eight kills. Buschur also hit .462 for the match.

Jenna Schreiver dished out 36 assists and added four kills for NKU, which avenged a five-set loss to Wisconsin-Parkside earlier in the season. The Norse are now 31-3 all-time against the Rangers.

Wisconsin-Parkside dropped to 13-12 overall, 9-4 in the GLVC. The Rangers hit .185 for the match.

“After last night's tough loss, we just came in today really focused,” NKU assistant coach April Hall said. “We wanted to make a statement, and I think we did.”

NKU hits the road Tuesday night for a GLVC match at Bellarmine. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in Knights Hall.