Box score
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Kaitlyn Holm and Olivia Mesner combined for 22 kills to lead the Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball team to a 25-21, 25-18, 25-15 victory over Atlantic Sun Conference foe Northern Kentucky University on Friday night in Regents Hall.
Holm had 12 kills and Mesner chipped in with 10 kills for FGCU, which stands at 13-17 overall and 9-8 in A-Sun play. Jessica Barnes added nine kills for the Eagles, who secured a berth in next week's A-Sun Championship with the win.
Jenna Ruble led the Norse (11-19, 6-11 A-Sun) with 11 kills and attacked at a .318 clip.
Jayden Julian added eight kills and a team-best 12 digs.
Anna Prickel added 11 digs on the evening and
Taylor Snyder posted 28 assists and eight digs for the Norse.
After NKU opened the match on an 8-2 run, FGCU closed the gap with a 9-3 run of their own using a pair of blocks from Karina Mambuca. Barnes picked up five of her kills in the opening frame, including the set winner.
The Eagles took control early in Set 2 and never trailed, hitting .345 on the set to cruise to a 25-18 victory. FGCU put the match away with a 10-2 run mid-set that pushed the Eagles' advantage to 15-6.
Set 3 saw the teams trade points to 8-8 before FGCU pulled away on a pair of Norse attack errors. FGCU put the match away on a 6-0 run that pushed the lead to 19-11 before Mesner served out the final four points of the match.
NKU was proud to welcome back its volleyball alumni for the evening's match. In addition, the Norse honored the pioneers of the program, former head coaches Marilyn Moore, Jane Meier and Mary Biermann.
NKU closes out the 2013 season on Saturday with a matinee against Stetson. First serve is set for 3 p.m. NKU will honor its senior class,
Anna Prickel and
Kaela Jo Freppon, in a special pre-match ceremony. Fans can help the Norse "Attack Hunger" by bringing a non-perishable food item to receive $1 off admission.
