ROCHESTER, Mich. – Northern Kentucky volleyball dropped a four-set match to Horizon League foe Oakland, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20. The Norse lineup featured multiple changes to the usual rotation, as NKU's kills leader Haley Libs donned the libero jersey for the first time in her career, while Laura Crawford and Drew Hendricks swapped pins to hit on the right and left, respectively. With the setback, NKU drops to 6-7 overall and 2-2 in the Horizon League while the Golden Grizzlies advance to 7-9 (2-2 HL).
 
First Set Summary

• Oakland went out to an early lead courtesy of a 6-1 run, which featured four kills from outside hitter Darien Bandel.

• After a timeout, the Norse came out with defensive composure and immediately registered a block, followed by two aces from Georgia Childers to bring the Norse within two points.

• NKU only ever got within a point over the remainder of the match, eventually dropping the opener, 25-22.

• Crawford had a successful opener on the right pin, reminiscent of her rookie campaign, with seven kills on 13 swings along with a block. Hendricks added three kills as the Norse hit .242 in the frame. However, Oakland registered a .429 hitting percentage, aided greatly by Bandel's 8-of-10 outing on the outside.

 
Second Set Summary

• Oakland once again took the lead early on with a 5-1 edge, but the Norse fought back to tie it up at 10-10 led by strong offense from Crawford and Hendricks.

• A pair of key blocks gave NKU a 17-13 edge and forced Oakland into a timeout, and the Golden Grizzlies made a push at the end to tie it up at 22-22. However, Oakland missed a key serve to give NKU the advantage, and a block by Crawford and Kaelin Gentile gave the Norse the momentum to take the set, 25-23.

• Hendricks posted five kills to lead the offense, while Crawford had four and Gentile had a balanced outing with three kills and three blocks.

• Ashton Terrill scooped up seven digs to lead the defense, while Libs added five.

 
Third Set Summary

• NKU was the team to take an early lead coming out of the intermission, going up 7-1 before Oakland inched back into contention.

• The Golden Grizzlies had a five-point run, including three-straight kills from Bandel, to take an 18-15 lead, and went on to hold the Norse off in the 25-20 frame.

• Despite the strong start, NKU hit .000 in the third set, with Hendricks tallying three kills.

• NKU's signature defense also struggled with just 12 digs, six of which came from Libs.

 
Fourth Set Summary

• Once again, NKU had a strong start in the fourth set with two kills apiece form Hendricks and Crawford in the first four points.

• The contest remained tight until the 18-18 mark, when Oakland capped off the match on a 7-2 run.

• Crawford had five kills on 12 swings while Kelly Turner was efficient with three terminations on five attempts.

• Libs added six more digs to pace the defense, while Shelby Olsen chipped in four.

 
Norse Notes

• Crawford had 18 kills at a .235 clip to lead the Norse offensively.
• Hedricks matched her career high of 13 kills, which was set last night in the victory over Youngstown State.
• Libs had a strong outing in her libero debut, with 19 digs and two aces. Terrill was also in double figures for the Norse, with 10 digs.
• Olsen had her third-straight double-double with 41 assists and 10 digs, also adding a block and an ace.
• Gentile led the defensive effort at the net with five blocks.
• NKU hit .179 as a team, while Oakland connected at a .316 clip. Bandel had a tremendous match with at least 17 more kills than any of her teammates, putting away 27 swings at .407 from the outside.
• Oakland had the defensive edge in blocking (10-7) and digs (74-58), but NKU stayed in the match with aggressive serving, registering eight aces while only surrendering three to the Golden Grizzlies.

Up Next

• NKU is back at home next weekend when the team hosts UIC on Friday, Oct. 6 for a 6 p.m. tilt. The match will be broadcast on ESPN3 with streaming available on computers, tablets and smart phones through WatchESPN and the ESPN App.