HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team hits the road once more for tournament action, taking part in the Dunn Hospitality Tournament this weekend, hosted by the University of Evansville.
 
The Norse will take on the host Purple Aces, as well as Western Illinois and Jackson State over the weekend. Live stats for all matches are available at NKUNorse.com.
 
Northern Kentucky University Norse (2-5)
Western Illinois University Leathernecks (0-7)
Meeks Family Court (500) – Evansville, Ind.
Sept. 11 – 5 p.m.
Series History: First meeting
 
NKU
Jackson State University Tigers (0-8)
Sept. 12 – 1:30 p.m.
Series History: First meeting
 
NKU
University of Evansville Purple Aces (3-5)
Sept. 12 – 7 p.m.
Series History: NKU leads, 4-2
First meeting: Sept. 17, 1983 at Louisville, Ky.  (UE 15-4, 15-7, 16-14)
Last meeting: Sept. 16, 2014 at NKU (NKU 22-25, 25-21, 25-14, 20-25, 15-9)
 
ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS: The Leathernecks are in search of their first win of the season after dropping a three-set match at Saint Louis in midweek action. Peyton Crosser leads the offense, averaging 2.55 kills per set, while Abby Skryd is posting up eight assists per set as well. In the back row, Kaili Simmons is picking up 3.18 digs per set.
 
ABOUT JACKSON STATE: The Tigers are also winless on the season, looking for success in this weekend's action. JSU boasts a pair of conference Player of the Week honorees in outside hitter Taija Thomas, who recorded 44 kills over four matches last weekend, and setter Jenna Siddiqui, who recorded five service aces and seven blocks to go with 101 assists.
 
ABOUT EVANSVILLE: The Purple Aces hope to snap a four-game slide this weekend after falling to Tennessee in midweek action, 3-1. Evansville boasts a pair of players who stand in the top 10 in several statistical categories. Genesis Miranda ranks second in total attacks (412), third in total kills (153) and points per set (5.64) while Kim Deprez stands fourth in total digs (162).
 
LAST TIME OUT: NKU was on the road once again, this time in midweek action at Eastern Kentucky, where NKU was defeated in straight sets. Haley Libs and Keely Creamer led the Norse offense with eight kills each and Mel Stewart added 16 digs. Kelly Turner turned in a season-best four kills on .375 hitting.
 
LIBS LIGHTING IT UP: Freshman outside hitter Haley Libs was a firecracker in last weekend's Cougar Classic, hosted by SIU Edwardsville. In a 2-1 weekend for the Norse, Libs posted 47 kills on .350 hitting across 13 sets. Entering this weekend, she is ranked 10^th in the Horizon League overall and is the League's highest-ranked freshman with 3.16 kills per set.
 
TIME FOR TWENTY: Libs also set a milestone last weekend with her 20-kill effort in a 3-2 win over SIU Edwardsville on Saturday. It was the first 20-kill performance by a Norse player since Jenna Ruble had 21 against South Carolina Upstate last season. Libs is also the sixth Horizon League player this season to post 20 kills in a match.
 
CHASING A CENTURY: Head coach Liz Hart enters this weekend with a coaching record of 98-56, needing two wins to eclipse the 100-win plateau for her career. Hart became the interim head coach at NKU 12 matches into the 2010 season and earned the permanent job the following year.
 
ADD A ZERO: Jayden Julian is also chasing down a milestone, standing at 940 career kills entering this weekend. The senior outside hitter needs 60 kills to become the 17^th member of the 1,000-kill club, and the first to join since Shelby Buschur in 2012, who finished her career with 1,206 kills.