Match notes (PDF)HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team closes out a string of three road matches in five days on Tuesday when the Norse travel to take on Wright State in Dayton, Ohio. First serve for Tuesday's match is set for 7 p.m.
Live stats and video links for the match are available at NKUNorse.com.
The Norse are riding high after opening the season with victories over a pair of defending conference champions. On Friday, NKU began the 2014 campaign with a 3-1 win over Radford, the reigning Big South Conference champions. The Norse followed up that success with a 3-0 sweep over defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Morehead State.
Jenna Ruble hit .395 over the weekend while
Jayden Julian collected 21 kills.
Mel Stewart paced the defense with 32 digs and
Lauren Hurley served up seven aces.
A WORD ABOUT WRIGHT STATE: After a season-opening loss to Indiana State, the Raiders rattled off wins against North Carolina A&T and Chicago State to enter Tuesday's match with a 2-1 record. Senior Ashley Langjahr leads the Raiders, posting 28 kills and attacking at a .312 clip last weekend. Maddie Lohmeier's 83 assists direct the offense. Marisa Aiello already has 11 blocks on the season, setting an average of 1.2 blocks per set. Jessie Thornton leads the defense with 33 digs (3.67/set). As a team, the Raiders are holding their opponents to a .126 hitting percentage.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE RAIDERS: NKU newcomers came through in a big way in NKU's 3-1 win over Wright State on Sept. 3, 2013.
Tristen Simpson posted 12 kills and attacked at a .391 clip while
Taylor Snyder collected a double-double with 30 assists and 10 digs. Aiello collected 12 kills and hit .750 to lead the Raiders in the contest. With the win, NKU leveled the all-time series against the Raiders, 11-11. The Norse have posted wins in both matches since the rivalry was renewed in 2012 after a 24-year hiatus.
SERVING SUCCESS: The Norse are averaging 2.1 service aces per set, which leads all Atlantic Sun Conference teams in the category. Individually,
Lauren Hurley (1.0/set) and
McKenzie Eskridge (0.71/set) are 1-2 in the league in the category. All told, the Norse served up 15 aces across their seven sets played over the weekend.
MAC STARTS WELL: Freshman defensive specialist
McKenzie Eskridge had a solid starting weekend for the Norse, posting 19 digs and five service aces in NKU's two wins over the weekend. The native of Louisville, Kentucky, played in all seven sets over the weekend.
JULIAN DELIVERS: Junior outside hitter
Jayden Julian has picked up right where she left off in 2013. The team leader in kills last season, Julian claimed 21 kills over the weekend to again lead the Norse. Her three kills per set rank her seventh in the A-Sun in the category.
