Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. –
Jayden Julian and
Jenna Ruble combined for 24 kills and 10 blocks as the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team rallied for a five-set victory over USC Upstate on Saturday in Regents Hall.
Julian finished with 16 kills and four blocks, while Ruble added eight kills and six blocks. Northern Kentucky (6-11 overall, 1-4 Atlantic Sun Conference) held USC Upstate (1-13 overall, 1-4 A-Sun) to a .062 hitting percentage in the final set and wrapped up the victory when Ruble converted an attack off an assist from
Taylor Snyder at match point.
Snyder notched her ninth double-double (47 assists, 12 digs) of the season, while
Kaela Jo Freppon also collected a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. The Norse hit .210 for the match, compared to .186 for the Spartans.
USC Upstate entered the fourth with a 2-1 advantage and quickly built a 5-1 lead. Northern Kentucky countered with a 10-1 run to take an 11-6 advantage and forced a fifth set when
Megan Wanstrath hammered down an attack to give the Norse a 25-22 win. Julian keyed the Norse comeback in the fourth set with five kills.
In the final set, USC Upstate again broke out to an early lead by scoring the first two points. The Norse countered with a 7-1 run for a 7-3 advantage and eventually held a 14-10 edge. The Spartans battled back and staved off three match points, setting the stage for Ruble's final kill.
Wanstrath finished with 11 kills and hit .292, while
Keely Creamer added nine kills and attacked at a .364 clip.
Mel Stewart led the Norse defense with 19 digs. Northern Kentucky is now 3-0 all-time against USC Upstate, and the Norse are now 4-1 this season in five-set matches.
Kayla Eversgerd led USC Upstate with 18 kills, while Javon Gates added 15 kills.
The Norse hit the road Tuesday night for Nashville, Tenn., and a key A-Sun match with Lipscomb. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m.
Earlier this season, Lipscomb posted a three-set win at Northern Kentucky.
