HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team once again takes to the road for Atlantic Sun Conference action at East Tennessee State and USC Upstate this weekend.
The Norse will travel to ETSU for a 7 p.m. first serve on Friday before heading to Upstate for a 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Both matches will be available via ASun.TV, and live stats will be available for both games at NKUNorse.com.
NKU (16-2, 4-1 A-Sun) is coming off another successful conference weekend, taking straight-set victories over Mercer and Kennesaw State. The Norse changed up the game plan and focused on the defense last week, as
Kylee Tarantino went for 31 digs on the weekend. The team picked up eight blocks in each match, with
Jenna Ruble accounting for four each night.
The Norse will help ETSU (11-7, 2-2 A-Sun) open a five-match home stand on Friday. ETSU leads the A-Sun in blocks (2.93/set) and is ranked 39th nationally in the category. Individually three Bucs lead the A-Sun: Megan Devine in kills (4.36/set), Katie Muey and Devine in service aces (.43/set) and Meredith hardy in blocks (1.86/set). Hardy is also ranked 22nd nationally in blocks, her highest ranking of the season.
ETSU is the first A-Sun opponent to boast a history against the Norse, as the teams have a single previous meeting, with NKU taking a 3-0 (15-4, 15-4, 15-10) win back in 1980.
Upstate (5-10, 1-3 A-Sun) is another defense-heavy team, as the Spartans' 17.2 digs per set ranks third in the A-Sun and 33rd nationally, while Kayla McAvoy leads the A-Sun in hitting pct. (.468).
RIPPING UP THE RPI: The first RPI rankings have been released and Northern Kentucky lands at No. 161 nationally, the second-highest ranking of any A-Sun team. Three-time defending champion Lipscomb leads the way at No. 122. The RPI is one of the primary methods that the NCAA selects the field for the national tournament and, while NKU is ineligible for postseason play this season, the Norse were granted a waiver to be included in the RPI.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Following this weekend's contests, NKU will have spent seven of the last eight weekends on the road. Regents Hall will be rocking soon, though as seven of NKU's next 10 matches will be on home turf.
KYLEE KILLING THE DIG RANKS: In a system that keys on offense, defensive specialist
Kylee Tarantino continues to be one of the top defensive players in the A-Sun. The senior is averaging 4.63 digs per set in league play, ranking second among A-Sun players.
