Northern Kentucky University Athletics

Box score | Photo gallery | Video highlights

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – A refurbished court in Regents Hall and a new-look starting lineup greeted Northern Kentucky University volleyball fans in the Norse's home opener Tuesday night against Wright State.

Northern Kentucky's newcomers then produced in big-time fashion during a 25-12, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 win over visiting Wright State. Freshman outside hitter Tristen Simpson recorded a career-high 12 kills and attacked at a .391 clip, while freshman setter Taylor Snyder collected a double-double (30 assists, 10 digs) in her home debut on the spiffy, newly finished Regents Hall court.

In addition, freshman outside hitter Keely Creamer added six kills and five block assists, while transfer Kaela Jo Freppon served up three of the Norse's 12 aces. The Norse serving game kept Wright State off balance much of the match and allowed the home team to pull out the hard-fought win in front of a raucous crowd.

"I think what really helped us this game was our serving," NKU head coach Liz Hart said. "We hit a lot of aces and kept them out of system, which is going to help our defense. It was a great turnout by our fans. We appreciate them coming, and I think they make a big difference. Not our best game, but it's a win and we're going to make the adjustments for this weekend."

Snyder, a graduate of Newport Central Catholic who has stepped in for graduated All-Atlantic Sun Conference setter Jenna Schreiver, added three kills, two aces and two blocks. Simpson contributed three block assists as the Norse finished with a team total of nine blocks. 

Several of the veterans also enjoyed solid performances in the victory. Junior middle hitter Jenna Ruble collected 11 kills and four blocks. Senior libero Anna Prickel anchored the back row and finished with 12 digs and two aces, while sophomore defensive specialist Mel Stewart recorded 15 digs.

"We had some aggressive serving which forced them into overpasses, and Chuck (Jenna Ruble) was able to put them away," Hart said. "She did a really good job, she's one of our most experienced hitters, so we're going to rely on her a lot this year. She did a good job and made a lot of good choices."

With the score knotted at 21-all in the fourth set, Ruble keyed the Norse's match-ending 4-1 run. She hammered down a kill to give Northern Kentucky a 22-21 lead and followed with an ace to extend the advantage to 23-21. Jayden Julian converted an attack to give the Norse a 24-22 edge, and Creamer ended the match by smashing down a kill off a Wright State overpass.

The Norse – who opened the season against Clemson, No. 7 Michigan and Xavier – improved to 1-3, while Wright State dropped to 1-4. Northern Kentucky also defeated Wright State a year ago in Dayton, Ohio.

Northern Kentucky is now 11-12 all-time against Wright State. Marisa Aiello collected 12 kills and hit .750 to lead the Raiders. Emily Meng notched a double-double with 39 assists and 11 digs.

The Norse visit Oxford, Ohio, on Saturday for matches against Evansville at 11 a.m. and host Miami (Ohio) at 7 p.m.

"I'm still learning this team's personality in terms of what are their strengths and weakness, and who can come ready to play every match," Hart said. "I think this year is going to be just figuring it out on the fly, seeing how they do and who comes ready to play each day, and hopefully we can get a little bit more stability out on the court.  In the meantime, we're going to play whoever's hot."