HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team will open the home half of its Atlantic Sun Conference slate on Friday as the Norse take on North Florida. First serve from Regents Hall is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
The weekend of league action concludes on Saturday afternoon as Jacksonville comes in for a 1 p.m. start. Live stats for both games will be available at NKUNorse.com with regular updates via Twitter by following @NKUNorseGameday.
 
Friday's match against North Florida is "Styles for Smiles" to benefit the Brighton Center, and fans can bring in a clothing donation to receive $1 off admission at the gate. On Saturday, NKU will present "Norse Knowledge Day" with fans receiving $1 off admission with a book donation.
 
NKU enters the weekend with an 11-5 overall record and a 1-2 mark in A-Sun play after splitting action last weekend. The Norse fell at Kennesaw State, 3-1, before claiming a 3-1 win over South Carolina Upstate to close the weekend.
 
Megan Wanstrath had 16 kills to lead the Norse in the loss to Kennesaw State, as Jenna Ruble and Tristen Simpson each chipped in 11 kills. On Saturday, Jayden Julian posted 14 kills and hit .313 to lead the Norse to victory over Upstate.
 
A WORD ABOUT NORTH FLORIDA: The Ospreys enter the weekend's action with a 5-12 record, still seeking their first A-Sun victory, having dropped three straight matches. As a team, UNF leads the A-Sun in blocking (2.1/set) and service aces (1.6/set). Cari Whitmire comes into the weekend as the A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week, having tallied 56 digs over two matches last week and made 20 or more digs in each of UNF's last three matches. On the defensive front line, Cameron McGuire's 60 total blocks leads all A-Sun players. Freshman outside hitter Courtney Miller leads the Ospreys offensively, averaging 3.16 kills per set to rank sixth in the A-Sun.
 
THE LAST TIME AGAINST THE OSPREYS: Megan Wanstrath collected four kills and a crucial solo block in the fifth set of a victory over North Florida on Oct. 26, 2013, salvaging a split in the season series between the teams. Wanstrath ended the day with 18 kills while Keely Creamer had 12 kills. Taylor Snyder added 47 assists and a career-high 19 digs. The win leveled the all-time series between the clubs a 4-4.
 
A WORD ABOUT JACKSONVILLE: The Dolphins are 9-8 overall and tied in the A-Sun standings with the Norse at 1-2. Sammie Strausbaugh stands as arguably the top player in the conference, leading the Dolphins offensively with 290 kills, averaging almost five kills per set to ranks seventh in the nation, more than a kill per set better than Lipscomb's Lauren Ford, who ranks second in the Atlantic Sun within that category. Strausbaugh also ranks second in the league with 27 service aces, and leads the Dolphins with 210 digs, averaging 3.5 digs per set to rank ninth in the league.
 
THE LAST TIME AGAINST THE DOLPHINS: Kylie Jacob slammed down 19 kills to help Jacksonville to a five-set victory over NKU on Oct. 25, 2013, completing the season series sweep for the Dolphins.  Jenna Ruble led NKU with 15 kills, while Megan Wanstrath added 13 kills. Keely Creamer attacked at a .409 clip with 12 kills to her credit. With the loss, the all-time series between the teams was leveled at 2-2.
 
RPI DEBUT: The initial Ratings Percentage Index rankings were released this week, showing the Norse with their highest ranking in team history at No. 119. In 2012, the Norse finished their inaugural season of Division I competition at No. 135, while last year NKU finished at No. 223 in the ranking. Lipscomb stands as the highest rated A-Sun team at No. 45, while this weekend's opponents stand at No. 196 (Jacksonville) and No. 227 (North Florida).
 
LEAGUE RANKS: The Norse continue to place players among the top of the Atlantic Sun conference in many statistical categories. Jenna Ruble remains as one of the most efficient attackers in the league, hitting at a .305 clip to rank second in the conference. Additionally, Mel Stewart stands second in digs per set at 4.59. Keely Creamer's 0.90 blocks per set ranks third in the league, while Lauren Hurley, at 0.36 service aces per set, and Taylor Snyder, at 10.37 assists per set, each rank forth in their respective categories.