BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Jenna Ruble and Jayden Julian each had 13 kills to lead the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team to a 3-1 (25-22, 25-23, 14-25, 25-20) win over Temple as the Norse split Day 2 action in the Blackbird Invitational, hosted by LIU Brooklyn.
 
The late match saw Boston College get 11 kills from Sol Calvete in a straight-set (25-21, 25-20, 25-18) win over the Norse. With the results, NKU moves to 6-3 on the season. Ruble's effort earned her a spot on the Blackbird Invitational All-Tournament Team. It was the second time Ruble earned such an honor, as she was also named to the all-tournament team at the Northern Kentucky Volleyball Invitational.
 
Taylor Snyder had 45 assists and 22 digs to pick up her third double-double of the season in the win. As a team, the Norse defense picked up 87 digs in the match against Temple, setting a season high and marking the highest team dig total since a 92-dig effort in a five-set win over Mercer last season.  Mel Stewart added 16 digs and McKenzie Eskridge had 15 digs to go with three service aces.
 
Julian put 13 digs with her 13 kills to mark her second double-double of the season. Megan Wanstrath chipped in with 11 kills.
 
Caroline Grattan led the Owls (6-2) with 19 kills while Kirsten Overton added 10 kills of her own. Alyssa Draschslin paced the defense with 22 digs, while Sandra Sydlik's 29 assists drove the offense.
 
The Norse got the Temple match off to a strong start in Set 1, using a 7-2 run to stake an early 10-4 lead. The Owls came back with five straight points of their own, but the Norse held firm after Keely Creamer picked up a kill and a block to put the Norse back in control. The Norse pushed back to a five point lead at 20-15 when Temple made a late push, pulling to within one on a 6-1 run punctuated by back-to-back kills from Izzy Rapacz. The Norse held on, picking up three of the final four points of the set to take the win.
 
Set 2 played out very similarly when NKU went on a 5-1 run to start the set, but Temple clawed back to tie things up, 10-10, before a 6-1 run put the Norse ahead once again as Wanstrath picked up a pair of kills in the run. NKU extended the lead to as much as six at 20-14 before Temple again went on a late push, as a 7-2 run cut the Norse lead to one at 22-21. The Norse held the two point advantage, however, and the teams traded sideouts to a 25-23 Norse win.
 
After Temple rolled through Set 3, the teams battled once more through Set 4 with the Norse trailing 11-10 before NKU shot ahead on an 8-2 run to take an 18-13 lead that they would not relinquish. Ruble picked up six kills and hit .545 on the set to lead the Norse to the victory.
 
Julian led the Norse with nine kills in the nightcap against Boston College, while Creamer chipped in with seven. Snyder picked up another double-double, going for 23 assists and 10 digs. Stewart added 15 digs as well.
 
Calvete was one of three Eagles (5-4) in double-digits for kills, as Katty Workman and Brittany Pavich each posted 10 kills as well. Courtney Castle had a match-high 25 digs, while Kellie Barnum had 28 assists.
 
The Norse will make a quick turnaround, as they return home to Regents Hall for a midweek clash against Evansville. It's a Norse Force double point night for members, and NKU Campus Recreation will be holding its Paper-Rock-Scissors and Cornhole tournaments prior to the contest. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.