HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky volleyball dropped a four-set match to Horizon League-leading IUPUI, staying competitive in each game, 25-22, 25-23, 21-25, 25-22. With the loss, NKU falls to 9-10 overall and 5-5 in League play while the Jaguars retain their spot at the top of the standings with a 12-11 (8-2 HL) mark.
First Set Summary
- The match was a back-and-forth event from the start, as NKU trailed by no more than two points for the majority of the opening set.
- Haley Libs recorded three of her five kills in the final eight points, but the Jaguars pulled away after utilizing a pair of back-to-back miscues from the Norse attack.
- Laura Crawford led the offense with six kills and seven digs as NKU tallied more kills than IUPUI but committed more errors than its opponent.
- Shelby Olsen had a tremendous opening frame with a first-set double-double of 11 assists and 12 digs.
- McKenzie Eskridge added eight digs to the team's standout back-row effort, with NKU recording 31 digs in the set.
Second Set Summary
- IUPUI took a more substantial lead in the second set, leading by as many as five points before a late run allowed the Norse to come within two points at the 22-20 mark.
- The final five points were alternating kills by the two teams as the Norse and the Jaguars worked to earn their points.
- Libs and Crawford added four kills apiece, with Crawford chipping in 10 digs.
- The Norse surpassed 30 digs in the set once more, out-digging IUPUI 32-21.
Third Set Summary
- IUPUI looked to be on the clear path to a sweep in the third set with a 15-13 lead, but a timeout from NKU sparked a 12-6 run by the Norse to win the set and force a fourth.
- Crawford added five kills, while Libs and Bailey Western both added four.
- Eskridge led the back-row effort with five digs, while Libs, Olsen and Ashton Terrill chipped in four scoops apiece.
Fourth Set Summary
- The Jaguars started the fourth set with another commanding lead, holding the Norse at a six-point deficit.
- Three-straight miscues from IUPUI got the Norse within three points, but NKU continued to trail with the closest margin being a point deficit.
- Eskridge had seven digs in the set, and Western stepped up at the net with three blocks while the Norse attack did not allow a block from the Jaguars.
- IUPUI terminated at a higher rate than the Norse with 16 kills, allowing the Jaguars to take the set and match.
Norse Notes
- IUPUI swept the regular-season series against the Norse this year, winning both matchups in four sets.
- The Norse recorded 111 digs in the setback while the Jaguars posted just 87 digs. It marks the second time this season that NKU has surpassed the 100-dig mark, the last occasion being in a 108-dig match against Florida A&M on Sept. 16.
- NKU also had the edge on total kills, 59-50, but committed twice as many hitting errors as the Jaguars, 34-17. IUPUI also had the upper hand at the net with 12 blocks compared to six for NKU.
- Olsen set a new career best with a match-high 25 digs to go with her 46 assists, and also added five kills with no errors on 12 attempts.
- Crawford had her first 20-and-20 match with 20 kills and 24 digs, both a career high for the sophomore. The last Norse to have a 20/20 performance was Libs against Florida A&M and also in a 24-kill, 24-dig match against Valparaiso in the Horizon League Tournament. However, prior to that, the feat had not been accomplished since the 2007 season courtesy of current head coach Liz Hart.
- Eskridge was one dig off her career best with 24 digs.
- Libs was one dig short of being the fourth Norse with 20 digs, chipping in 19 to go with 15 kills.
- Western came close to double-digit kills with nine terminations, and also added five blocks.
Up Next
- The Norse remain at home next weekend, hosting Oakland and Youngstown State on Oct. 27 and 28, respectively. The matches will be broadcast on ESPN3 with streaming available on computers, tablets and smart phones through WatchESPN and the ESPN App.
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