INDIANAPOLIS – Northern Kentucky's volleyball team dropped its third-straight match in a five-set loss to Loyola Chicago in the Butler Invitational, 25-21, 18-25, 25-21, 22-25, 15-6. With the loss, NKU moves to 6-5 on the season, while the Ramblers advance to 5-8. 
 
First Set Summary

• The Norse had three players with two kills each in the opening set, with seniors Keely Creamer and Tristen Simpson, along with freshman setter Shelby Olsen, reaching the tally.
• NKU had a strong service showing, with two aces from junior DS McKenzie Eskridge in the opening frame.
• Sophomore Haley Libs led the way on defense with four digs.
• The Norse hit .065 as a team while allowing Loyola to hit .290.

 
Second Set Summary

• NKU's most efficient set came in the second, with the Norse hitting .444 behind four kills from Olsen on six attempts and three from both Creamer and junior middle hitter Georgia Childers.
• Lauren Hurley picked up five digs.

 
Third Set Summary

• The Norse dipped below .100 hitting in the third set, going .029. Libs had a strong set with four kills and five digs, while Hurley added four digs.
• Loyola was not as efficient, hitting .147, but the Ramblers posted four blocks in the set to keep NKU's offense under control.

 
Fourth Set Summary

• Libs carried the team in the fourth set with seven kills, as the team hit .188 and held Loyola to .115.
• The fourth set was the closest in competitiveness, ending with a 25-22 decision in favor of the Norse.

 
 Fifth Set Summary

• NKU was unable to carry over momentum in the final set, hitting -.050 with just four kills while Loyola hit .429, including termination on four of its first five swings.
• The Ramblers also rejected three more swings.

 
Norse Notes

• Libs recorded her first double-double of the season and 11th of her career with 15 kills and 16 digs. Her 16 digs were the most of any player in the match and a new career high.
• Olsen dished out 36 assists in the setback and added nine kills, just shy of a double-double.
• Simpson also finished with nine kills, while Creamer posted eight kills to go with two blocks.
• Hurley had 15 digs.
• Three Norse had two aces in the match: Libs, Eskridge and freshman DS Jaden Thiem.
• The team hit .138 for the match, while Loyola hit .233 and had 11 blocks.

Up Next

• The Norse will kick off the 2016 Horizon League slate next weekend, traveling to Wisconsin for a pair of matches. NKU will play Milwaukee on Friday, Sept. 23 at 8 p.m. ET, before heading to Green Bay for a 3 p.m. tilt on Saturday.