HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Four players had double-digit kills and Mel Stewart posted a season-high 27 digs as the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team took a crucial 3-0 victory over Youngstown State on Friday night in a Horizon League matchup.
 
Keely Creamer and Jayden Julian both ended the game with 12 kills, accompanied by Haley Libs and Kelly Turner with 10 kills each. The offensive prowess helped the Norse improve to 7-11 overall and 2-4 in Horizon League play.
 
Set 1 saw NKU break out on a 6-1 run before the Penguins battled back to go on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 11-11. The Norse pulled together a 10-4 run that stifled any YSU comeback as the Norse took the opener, 25-19.
 
YSU held a slight lead for the first half of Set 2, leading 12-9 at one point as Lori Vanbeek had three blocks and Jessie Gerig helped the defense with eight digs to keep the set tight. NKU chipped away at the Penguins' lead tying it up at 21-21 and closed the set with a 4-1 run to take it 25-22 as Turner and Libs posted five kills each.
 
NKU took momentum in to Set 3 with a 7-2 start, including two service aces of the team total of nine. The Norse dominated the set, scoring six unanswered at one point on their way to a decisive 25-15 victory to take the match.
 
Lauren Thompson and Lori Vanbeek each had six kills to lead Youngstown State, which fell to 7-12 overall and 1-3 in Horizon League play.
 
NKU's home stand continues on Tuesday, when the Norse welcome in Cleveland State for another Horizon League matchup. It's NKU's Dig Pink game, as the Norse will offer free admission to all fans and will offer special gear to fans, with donation proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society. First serve is set for 7 p.m., with live coverage on ESPN3 and NKUStats.com.
 
NORSE NOTES

• Friday night was NKU's first meeting against Youngstown State, and is the last of five first-time meetings for the Norse this season. NKU went 4-1 in those contests, with the sole loss coming last weekend against Milwaukee.
• The freshmen for the Norse had a strong effort, as Haley Libs posts her second double-double of the year, posting 10 kills and 10 digs, while Kelly Turner's 10-kill effort represented a career high.
• Keely Creamer picked up her 12th match with double-digit kills on the season with 12 this match. Her .429 hitting percentage on the night is her second-highest total of the season.