HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team continues its push towards securing a postseason berth on Saturday when the Norse take on Youngstown State in Horizon League play.
 
Northern Kentucky University Norse (12-13, 7-6 Horizon)
Youngstown State University Penguins (9-17, 3-8 Horizon)
Beeghley Center – Youngstown, Ohio
Nov. 7 – 5 p.m.
Series History: NKU leads, 1-0
First meeting: Oct. 9, 2015 at NKU (NKU 25-19, 25-22, 25-15)
 
ABOUT YOUNGSTOWN STATE: The Penguins begin a string of five matches in eight days to close the regular season on Friday, hosting Oakland before the Norse head to Youngstown on Saturday. Aly Ryan leads the way offensively for YSU, averaging 2.43 kills per set, while Lori Vanbeek's 99 blocks set the tone defensively up front. On the back row, Nikki Thompson is averaging 4.67 digs per set to lead the defensive efforts.
 
LAST MEETING: Four Norse finished in double-figures for kills on Oct. 9, as NKU took a straight-set victory over Youngstown State. Haley Libs picked up a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs while Keely Creamer and Jayden Julian shared the team lead with 12 kills each. Mel Stewart added 27 digs and Taylor Snyder dished out 41 assists to go with nine digs.
 
DOUBLE DOWN: Two Norse earned Horizon League Player of the Week honors, as Haley Libs was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Mel Stewart was tabbed as the Defensive Player of the Week. Libs averaged almost five kills per set and hit .393 over three matches in taking the honor, including an 18-kill, .581 effort against Wright State on Oct. 27. Stewart averaged five digs per set with three 20-dig performances, marking five in a row through the second half of the League schedule.
 
SORTING IT OUT: The Norse have had a strong showing over their last eight matches since the team returned to full strength following missed time by Taylor Snyder and Keyaira Lankheit, posting a 6-2 record, all in League play, and hitting .211 as a team turn the span. The Norse have picked it up defensively as well, averaging 2.32 blocks per set and 16.6 digs per set over their last eight matches as well.
 
BIG WEEKEND FOR CREAMER: Keely Creamer tied a season high with 18 kills in Saturday's win over Green Bay, hitting .571 in the process. She also set a new career high with eight blocks in Friday's five-setter against Milwaukee.
 
UP NEXT: The Norse head northeast once more on Tuesday, taking on Cleveland State in a Horizon League showdown. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.