RICHMOND, Ky. - Haley Libs set the pace once again for the Northern Kentucky University volleyball team, leading the way with eight kills as the Norse fell to Eastern Kentucky in straight sets on Tuesday evening at McBrayer Arena.
 
Libs and Keely Creamer each had eight kills on the night as the Norse fell to 2-5 on the season. Taylor Snyder added 20 assists and nine digs, while Mel Stewart had a team-best 16 digs on the night. Kelly Turner turned in a season-best four kills on .375 hitting.
 
The Norse struggled to find an offensive rhythm in the opening set as EKU used an early 5-0 run to take a 7-3 lead in the opening set. Of NKU's 17 points only five came off kills, including a pair from Libs as EKU maintained its lead throughout for a 25-17 win in the first frame.
 
A 6-1 run to open the second stanza set the Norse off on the right foot, with Creamer picking up a pair of kills to get things started. However, EKU recovered, winning 13 of the next 18 points to take a 12-11 lead. Another short rally gave the Norse the lead back, 17-14, on a kill and a service ace from Creamer, but again the Colonels countered with a 6-2 run of their own to push the EKU advantage to 21-18. Kelly Turner and Creamer each notched a pair of kills to tie the set back up at 22-22, but a pair of kills and a block got the last three points for EKU in a 25-22 decision.
 
After the intermission, the Norse raced out to take the first three points of the third set, but EKU responded quickly and the teams traded points until the 7-7 mark, when the Colonels took the lead for good thanks to an 8-1 rally that featured three service aces for EKU.
 
Sanks led the way for EKU (1-7) with 11 kills and 11 digs, while Hicks added 10 kills. Rojas had 21 digs while Knutson posted 19 assists and three service aces on the night.
 
The Norse now turn their attention to the University of Evansville Tournament this weekend, where NKU will take on the host Purple Aces as well as Western Illinois and Jackson State.
 
Follow the Norse through social media by following @NKUNorseVB on Twitter and Instagram and liking Northern Kentucky University Volleyball on Facebook.
 
NORSE NOTES
 

• Despite the loss, NKU continues to hold the lead in the all-time series with EKU, 13-10. Since reopening the rivalry in 2012, each team has successfully defended home court in four matches.
• Tonight's match snapped a streak of three consecutive matches of double-digit kills for Libs. The freshman has gotten eight or more kills in each of her last five matches. It was the second match this season in which no NKU player reached 10 or more kills (Xavier).
• Mel Stewart's 16 digs were one short of her season high, which she's reached twice this season (Cincinnati, Louisiana Tech).