Match notes
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team returns to action this weekend at the University of Cincinnati Invitational. NKU will take on Navy on Friday at 4:30 p.m. The Norse will then double-dip on Saturday, facing host Cincinnati at 2 p.m., followed by NCAA Tournament participant Cleveland State at 7 p.m.
Live stats and video links are available at NKUNorse.com.
The Norse enter play this weekend with a 2-4 record after coming off a split in Saturday's action at the Miami (Ohio) Invitational. NKU got a win over Evansville, 3-1, before falling to the host RedHawks in the nightcap, 3-2.
A WORD ABOUT NAVY: The Midshipmen hold a record of 3-5 after Wednesday night's five-set loss to Air Force. Erin Fortner paces the offense, averaging 3.2 kills per set. Alex Cassel and Katie Sylakowski lead the blocking brigade with 16 total blocks each on the season, while Alli Graf's 111 digs set the tone in the back row.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE MIDSHIPMEN: NKU's only match against Navy came on Oct. 6, 1990, at a neutral court in Clarion, Pa. The Mids took the match, 13-15, 15-9, 15-11, 15-10. It is the only time NKU volleyball has played any of the United States service academies.
A WORD ABOUT CINCINNATI: The Bearcats are still seeking their first win of the season, dropping to 0-7 after a loss at No. 21 Western Kentucky in mid-week action. Ciara Hill and Me'Ashah Nicholson have 34 kills each to lead the offense, with Nicholson leading the blockers with 21 total blocks on the year. Jamie Netisingha has 83 digs to lead the back row.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE BEARCATS: The last time NKU and Cincinnati met came in 1986, a match in which the Norse dropped the first set, 15-4, but came back to take a 3-1 victory with set scores of 15-10, 15-13, 15-9. The result cut Cincinnati's lead in the all-time series to 6-5.
A WORD ABOUT CLEVELAND STATE: The Vikings claimed the Horizon League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament last season and they look on their way to making another such run, boasting a 5-2 record to this point in the season after a 2-1 record in their home tournament. CSU took wins over High Point and UC Irvine, but dropped their matchup against IPFW. Freshman Grace Kauth is averaging 3.2 kills per set to lead the offense while Nikki Holmes has 4.5 digs per set from the back row. As a team, the Vikings are averaging 2.6 blocks per set, ranking in the top 50 of Division I.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE VIKINGS: All three meetings between NKU and Cleveland State came in the 1980 season, with NKU taking two of the three meetings. The last match came at the Hoosier Classic in Bloomington, Ind., with NKU taking a hard-fought straight-set victory, 16-14, 16-14, 15-5.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Setter
Taylor Snyder was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Week. Snyder, a native of Ft. Mitchell, Ky., averaged 10.69 assists and 2.77 digs per set and posted two double-doubles in helping the Norse to a 2-1 week, including wins over Wright State and Evansville. Snyder also had nine kills, nine total blocks and three service aces. She is the first NKU player to win a weekly award this season and the second to claim A-Sun weekly honors since NKU joined the league in 2012.
SIMPSON DID IT: Middle hitter
Tristen Simpson turned in NKU's first 20-kill performance this season when she posted 21 in Saturday's match against Miami. The total smashed her previous career high of 12 kills, posted just last Tuesday in a win over Wright State.
ALL-TOURNAMENT: Jenna Ruble and
Jayden Julian were each named to the Miami Invitational all-tournament team last weekend for their efforts in the contests. Ruble had 29 kills and eight total blocks across the two matches, while Julian led the Norse with 18 kills against Evansville and posted a double-double (13 kills, 11 digs) against Miami.
STAYING ALIVE: The NKU back row has pulled to second among A-Sun teams in digs per set, keeping points alive and giving the Norse the chance to turn a point around. Senior libero
Anna Prickel ranks third in the league individually in digs, averaging 4.13 per set.
