Match notes
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team heads to the Sunshine State for the final time this season to open a three-match road swing. NKU will take on Stetson on Friday before ending the weekend at Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday.
NKU's A-Sun match against Stetson will begin at 6 p.m., while Saturday's match at FGCU has a 7 p.m. start time.
The Norse stand at 8-12 overall and 3-5 in A-Sun play, having won three of their last four matches, including matches last weekend against Kennesaw State and Mercer.
Jayden Julian and
Jenna Ruble combined for 32 kills in Friday night's five-set victory over Kennesaw State, while Saturday saw the Norse attack at a .316 clip as a team in a 3-1 win over Mercer.
A WORD ABOUT STETSON: The Hatters have posted a mighty turnaround from their four-win 2012 campaign, standing at 14-8 overall and 5-2 in A-Sun play, good for a share of fourth place in the league standings. Stetson's turnaround has been behind the offensive strength of Kaley Melville, who averages 3.58 kills per set. Kayla Weller directs the offense, averaging 10.11 assists per set, and leads the team with 27 service aces on the season. Ellen Hawks is averaging almost a block a set and Michelle Kastner stands with 3.85 digs per set to pace the defense.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE HATTERS: NKU holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series against Stetson after sweeping the season series in 2012 with a 25-21, 25-23, 25-14 win over Stetson on Nov. 9 of last year.
Haley Lippert led the Norse with 15 kills and
Shelby Buschur added 10 kills and three blocks.
A WORD ABOUT FLORIDA GULF COAST: An exceptionally challenging early non-conference schedule left the Eagles with a 1-9 record entering conference play. However, FGCU has rebounded to go 8-2 since, including a five-set win over Florida International on Tuesday, and now claims a 9-11 record on the season, including a 5-2 mark in conference play. Jessica Barns is the team's leading attacker at 3.38 kills per set, though she did not play in Tuesday's midweek match. At the net, FGCU averages 1.8 blocks per set, ranking fourth in the A-Sun, led by Karina Mambuca's 62 blocks on the season.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE EAGLES: NKU spoiled senior night for the Eagles, coming from down two sets to post a 23-25, 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 15-11 win on the final day of the 2012 regular season, leveling the all-time series against FGCU at 1-1.
Kelly Morrissey had 17 kills and 15 digs while
Anna Prickel posted a career-high 27 digs. It was the second time in the 2012 season that NKU had come back from a 2-0 deficit to claim victory.
LET'S PLAY…FIVE!: NKU has played a total of 82 sets so far this season, including nine sets in last weekend's home action, to lead all A-Sun teams in that category. The Norse have had just four matches go three sets this season, while they've had six matches go all the way to the fifth set, more than any other A-Sun team. NKU has gone 5-1 in five-set matches, boasting wins over Syracuse, Navy, Cincinnati, South Carolina Upstate and Kennesaw State. By contrast, Lipscomb has seen the least amount of game action among A-Sun teams at 61 sets played.
RUBLE EFFICIENT: Junior middle hitter
Jenna Ruble is once again showing off her attack efficiency in the 2013 season. After leading all A-Sun attackers in hitting percentage in 2012, Ruble has slowly been climbing back up the ranks in 2013, now hitting at a .326 clip to rank fifth among A-Sun hitters. Her rise has been bolstered by a .371 attack percentage in league matches, which ranks third in the conference.
PRICKEL THINKING TOP 10: Senior defensive specialist
Anna Prickel has her eyes on a top 10 spot in NKU's all-time digs list. Earlier this year she became the 16
th member of the school's 1,000-kill club, and now she sits at 1,061 career digs. She needs 71 digs to climb the next rung on the ladder, passing Cammi Welter (1,131) for 12
th all-time.
CREAMING THE BALL: Freshman middle hitter
Keely Creamer has been an attacking force for NKU over the last two weeks. In her last five matches, Creamer has posted a total of 51 kills while attacking at a .426 clip and posting 18 blocks during that span. Among A-Sun freshmen, Creamer ranks fifth in kills (2.02/set) and fourth in blocks (0.73/set).
FIFTH SET FIREPOWER: The Norse have played well in their five-set matches so far this season, compiling a 5-1 record when they run out the string on a match. NKU is hitting at a .239 clip in that final set while holding their opponents to just an .064 hitting percentage.
UP NEXT: The Norse conclude their three-match road swing with non-conference midweek action at Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday. NKU returns home the following weekend to host Jacksonville on Friday (6 p.m.) for Social Media Night and North Florida on Saturday (3 p.m.) for the Fall-O-Ween Kids' Club event.
