MOREHEAD, Ky. – Redshirt-senior libero Lauren Hurley broke Northern Kentucky volleyball's Division I-era single-match record for digs in the final match of the Eagle Challenge, racking up 31 digs in the four-set win over host Morehead State. NKU dropped the first set, 25-22, but rattled off three-straight set wins, 25-15, 25-17, 25-12, to secure the match and go undefeated on the weekend.
 
Hurley, who posted back-to-back 30-dig matches and averaged over 7.00 digs per set for the tournament, was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, while senior outside hitter Tristen Simpson and sophomore outside hitter Haley Libs were also named to the all-tournament team.
 
The Quote
"We did a great job going on long serving runs during this match. It helped us slow down their offense, and also help LoLo (Hurley) pick up 30 digs again. It was a strong team effort this weekend and fun to win our first tournament." –Head Coach Liz Hart
 
First Set Summary

• The opening set was evenly-matched until the final three points, when Morehead pulled away for a 25-22 win.
• It marked the second time this season and the second consecutive match that NKU has lost the opening set and gone on to win the match.
• Junior outside hitter Drew Hendricks led the offense in the first frame with five kills off eight swings, followed by Simpson with four.
• Hurley picked up four digs to lead the defense.
• NKU hit .171, but allowed the Eagles to hit .294 for their highest percentage of the match.

 
Second Set Summary

• Hurley added seven more digs in the second set, while Simpson led the offense with five kills on nine swings in the 25-15 set win.
• The Norse had a similar hitting percentage to the first set, swinging .176, but locked down on defense and allowed just six kills by MSU coupled with a .038 clip.

 
Third Set Summary

• A balanced offense that saw Libs, Simpson and senior middle blocker Keely Creamer each tally three kills led to a .393 hitting percentage for the Norse in the 25-17 third-set win.
• NKU also had the best set at the net, rejecting three MSU attacks led by a pair of blocks by Creamer.

 
Fourth Set Summary

• After being held to two digs in the third set, Hurley turned it on in the fourth to scoop up a remarkable 18 swings by the Eagles.
• The Norse held Morehead State under .100 once more, allowing just eight kills for a .042 hitting percentage.
• Creamer led the offense with six kills.

 
Norse Notes

• Hurley's 31-dig performance is not only the Division I-era school record, but also the most digs in more than the last decade. She also put up the only back-to-back 30-dig matches in recent history for the Norse. She was also strong behind the line with three aces.
• NKU improves to 6-2 on the season, while Morehead State drops to 3-7.
• Simpson led the team in hitting with 15 kills and a pair of blocks. Creamer added 13 and two blocks, and Hendricks had a career-best 10 kills.
• Libs was contained on hitting, but served up three aces to add to NKU's total of 10 aces.
• Freshman setter Shelby Olsen was shy of a double-double once again, dishing out 42 assists to go with nine digs as well as five kills.
• The Norse hit .241 as a team and held Morehead State to .135 attacking.

Up Next

• NKU heads to Indianapolis next weekend for the Butler Invitational. The Norse will play Butler and Arizona, which has been receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches' Polls, on Friday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. The tournament will wrap up against Loyola Chicago on Saturday at 3 p.m.