Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Megan Wanstrath collected four kills and a crucial block solo in the fifth set Saturday afternoon as Northern Kentucky University pulled out a 25-17, 25-14, 23-25, 17-25, 15-10 win over North Florida in Regents Hall.
The Norse jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the decisive fifth set, but North Florida used a 5-0 run to gain a 9-8 edge. The Ospreys later owned a 10-9 lead, but the Norse rallied behind the play of Wanstrath (18 kills).
With Northern Kentucky holding an 11-10 lead in the fifth set, North Florida's Anna Budinska launched an attack that Wanstrath blocked to extend the Norse advantage to 12-10. Northern Kentucky capped its set-ending 6-0 run with kills by Wanstrath and
Tristen Simpson.
Northern Kentucky improved to 9-16 overall, 4-8 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. North Florida dropped to 7-16 overall, 3-8 in the A-Sun.
Freshman setter
Taylor Snyder notched her 15th double-double with 47 assists and a career-high 19 digs. Snyder also added two blocks.
Keely Creamer finished with 12 kills and attacked at a .400 clip, while
Jenna Ruble hammered down 10 kills and added seven blocks.
Northern Kentucky hit .197 as a team, compared to .158 for North Florida. The Norse attacked at a .424 clip in the second set to take a commanding 2-0 lead and appeared on the verge of earning a sweep when they held a 22-20 lead in the third stanza.
North Florida, however, closed the set with a 5-1 run to force fourth frame. The Ospreys hit .325 in the fourth set and rolled to a 25-17 win, setting the stage for Wanstrath's heroics in the final stanza.
Anna Prickel collected 22 digs for the Norse, who avenged an earlier setback to the Ospreys this season and evened the all-time series at 4-4.
Jayden Julian added nine kills and 11 digs for Northern Kentucky.
Budinska led North Florida with 17 kills, while Cameron McGuire added 16 kills.
Northern Kentucky travels to Macon, Ga., on Friday to meet Mercer in an A-Sun match. The Norse visit Kennesaw State on Saturday.
