HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team opens a three-match Horizon League home stand on Friday evening when the Norse welcome Youngstown State to Regents Hall for a 7 p.m. first serve. Friday's match will be broadcast on ESPN3 and live stats will be available at NKUStats.com.
Youngstown State University Penguins (7-11, 1-2 Horizon)Northern Kentucky University Norse (6-11, 1-4 Horizon)Oct. 9 – 7 p.m.
Regents Hall – Highland Heights, Ky.
Series History: First Meeting
ABOUT YOUNGSTOWN STATE: The Penguins have won two of their last three matches, including a nonconference tilt against Robert Morris, but have only seen three matches against Horizon League teams. Sam Brown and Aly Ryan lead the offensive effort, each with 160 kills on the season. Defensively, Nikki Thompson leads the way with 303 digs, while Lori Vanbeek's 60 blocks set the tone on the front line. Service game is a key for the Penguins, as they average 1.6 service aces per set, but have allowed 1.4 aces per set to their opponents.
LAST TIME OUT: The Norse struggled to finish sets as they dropped a 3-0 decision to Wright State on Tuesday evening.
Keely Creamer led the way offensively with 12 kills while
Haley Libs chipped in with eight.
Mel Stewart added 23 digs in the defensive effort.
CREAMER DOUBLES DOWN: Keely Creamer picked up her 11
th match with double-digit kills on the season. Last year at this point, Creamer had reached the 10-kill mark in six matches, and finished the year with 16 double-digit efforts.
MOVING ON UP: Mel Stewart continues her march up the career digs list at NKU, now with 1,220 to pass Amber Timmons (2001-04) and stands eighth on the all-time list. She now sets her sights on seventh place on the list and recent alum Anna Prickel (2010-13), who finished her career with 1,248 digs.
NEW BLOOD: Friday's match marks the final first-time opponent for the Norse this season, having taken on Louisiana Tech, Jackson State, Western Illinois, and Milwaukee previously in 2015. The Norse have posted a 3-1 record in those previous four meetings against new opposition.
UP NEXT: NKU's home stand continues on Tuesday, when the Norse welcome in Cleveland State for another Horizon League matchup. First serve is set for 7 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN3 and NKUStats.com.
