A WORD ABOUT JACKSONVILLE: The Dolphins are 13-12 on the year and 4-6 in A-Sun play after splitting a pair of five-set matches against conference opposition last weekend, falling to Kennesaw State before taking a win over South Carolina Upstate. Sammie Strausbaugh remains the league's top attacker, averaging 4.74 kills per set to rank ninth in the nation. Strausbaugh is also a strong server, as her 35 service aces rank second in the league. Olga Nushtayeva averages almost a block per set, ranking second in the league to lead the Dolphins to the second-best block average in the league at almost two blocks per set.
 
LAST TIME AGAINST THE DOLPHINS: The Norse had one of their most efficient offensive performances in recent memory, hitting .396 in a straight-set victory over Jacksonville on Oct. 11. Jenna Ruble led the way with 15 kills on a .652 hitting percentage, while Tristen Simpson followed up with nine kills while hitting at a .421 clip. Taylor Snyder dished out 34 assists and 10 digs. The Norse also picked up eight service aces, including four from Lauren Hurley. Strausbaugh led the Dolphins with 12 kills, while Gabby Nieto-Gomez added eight kills on a .500 hitting percentage. With the win, NKU took the edge in the all-time series, 3-2.
 
A WORD ABOUT NORTH FLORIDA: The Ospreys had a rough start to the A-Sun season but have stabilized nicely, rolling off wins in six of their last seven matches to stand 11-15 overall and 4-6 in A-Sun play. Offensively, freshman Courtney Miller has been averaging better than three kills per set in league play, ranking eighth in the A-Sun in the category. On the defensive side, Cari Whitmire's 4.81 digs per set lead all A-Sun players as the only defender over 4.5 digs per set on the year. As a team, the Ospreys lead the league in blocking at 1.99 blocks per set.
 
LAST TIME AGAINST THE OSPREYS: Jenna Ruble picked up eight of her 11 kills in the final two sets of a five-set, come-from-behind win for the Norse on Oct. 10. Jayden Julian led NKU with 18 kills while Megan Wanstrath and Keely Creamer each had 11 kills as well. Courtney Miller had 19 kills and added 17 digs, both team highs for North Florida. The win closed the North Florida advantage in the all-time series to 5-4.
 
ONE HUNDRED: Friday's match against Jacksonville will mark the 100^th career match for NKU senior Jenna Ruble. Over the span, Ruble has amassed 886 kills, 294 total blocks and has posted a .334 hitting percentage.
 
HITTING HIGHS: The Norse remain the A-Sun's most effective hitting team, claiming a .236 hitting percentage entering this weekend's play, 25 points better than Lipscomb, who comes second in the ranking at .211. Among league games only, that efficiency increases to .244 on the season. Passing has been a key part of that success, as Taylor Snyder's 10.64 assists per set rank third in the A-Sun.
 
STRONG AMONG SETTERS: Snyder has proven herself not just as a strong setter but as an all-around factor in NKU's success this season. On the defensive side, Snyder averages 2.86 digs per set, leading all setters in the A-Sun in the category.