HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team begins a three-match home stand to close out the home half of the 2015 season on Tuesday evening as the Norse welcome in Wright State for a 7 p.m. first serve. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN3 with live stats coverage at NKUStats.com.
 
Wright State University Raiders (12-13, 1-9 Horizon)
Northern Kentucky University Norse (10-12, 5-5 Horizon)
Oct. 27 – 7 p.m.
Regents Hall – Highland Heights, Ky.
Series History: NKU leads, 13-12
First meeting: Sept. 28, 1977 at NKU (NKU 15-7, 15-6)
Last meeting: Oct. 6, 2015 at WSU (WSU 25-21, 27-25, 25-13)
 
ABOUT WRIGHT STATE: The Raiders have struggled entering Horizon League play, their only win in their last 10 matches coming at the hands of the Norse back on Oct. 6. Katie Klusman's 4.12 kills per set leads the offense, while Marisa Aiello has put down 71 blocks to pace the net defense. Maddie Lohmeier is averaging over 11 assists per set to direct the offense, while Jessie Thornton's 4.69 digs per set leads the back row defense.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Norse closed out a 2-0 weekend with a dramatic five-set victory over Valparaiso on Saturday afternoon. Three Norse players posted double-doubles on the day, including Keyaira Lankheit with her first after a 16-block, 12-kill effort.  Haley Libs went for 14 kills and 12 digs while Taylor Snyder posted 41 assists and 20 digs.
 
KEYED OFF KEYAIRA: Lankheit's 16-block performance was a part of a 21-block day by the Norse as a team in the win over Valpo, and helped the freshman secure the Horizon League's Defensive Player of the Week award. The 16 blocks are the most posted by a player in a single match in Division I this season, the previous high being 14 blocks set by two different players (Rhamat Alhassan, Florida vs. James Madison; Ann Clappier, Southern Utah vs. Weber State). The 21 team blocks were just two short of a team season high, set by Pittsburgh with 23.0 blocks against George Washington on Sept. 19.
 
LIBS LIGHTS 'EM UP: Haley Libs had a career day against UIC on Friday, matching the Flames' Stephanee Yancy with 25 kills, besting her previous career high of 20, which she reached twice, most recently against Valparaiso on Sept. 25. Libs is now averaging 3.21 kills per set to lead the Norse and rank seventh among Horizon League attackers.
 
BIG DIGS: NKU eclipsed the 90-dig mark in a single match for the first time this season in the win over Valparaiso. The Norse back line combined for 98 digs on Saturday afternoon, besting their 96-dig effort against Stetson in last year's Atlantic Sun Conference Championship. In addition to Mel Stewart's 29-dig effort, Taylor Snyder picked up 20 digs and Lauren Hurley added 18.
 
RISING UP THE RANKS: The team's effort last weekend also had a huge effect on the Horizon League statistical rankings, as Keyaira Lankheit now ranks second overall and first in League matches in blocks per set while also standing third in League matches with a .352 hitting percentage. Additionally, Mel Stewart has jumped up to second in League matches, averaging 5.33 digs per set after combining for 57 digs across nine sets this weekend.
 
FIFTH-SET FIREPOWER: NKU continued its dominance in five-set matches this weekend with the win over Valparaiso. NKU now stands 4-0 on the season when going the distance, and has posted a 9-1 record over the last two seasons in five-set matches. The Norse have held their opponents to just a .043 hitting percentage in the fifth set across their four wins this season.