HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky and Xavier met on Friday night in exhibition action, with the Musketeers pulling out a tight five-set victory, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 15-6. Haley Libs led the Norse with 19 kills and freshman Miranda Wucherer posted a triple-double in her first collegiate action, recording 13 kills, 30 assists and 13 digs.
 
First Set Summary

• Xavier staked claim to the opening set, 26-24, running off five of the last seven points.
• The Norse converted 17 kills to Xavier's 16, but the Musketeers laid claim to three blocks to NKU's one. Northern Kentucky also committed three service errors.
• Haley Libs had five kills in the stanza to lead NKU, while Gentile added four.

Second Set Summary

• A balanced attack helped the Norse take the second set, 25-23.
• Seven Norse recorded kills, with Libs, Gentile, Maddy Weber and Abby Kanakry leading the way with three.
• NKU outpaced Xavier in kills (17-15), digs (17-15) and blocks (2-1).

Third Set Summary

• The third frame was another close affair, but Xavier used three-straight points with the match tied at 20 to pull ahead and hang on for a 25-23 win.
• Libs converted six kills on nine swings with only two hitting errors for the Norse.
• Shelby Olsen handed out nine assists.
• Despite leading in kills, 14-9, the Norse surrendered more points on attacking errors, 11-5.

Fourth Set Summary

• NKU jumped out to an early 10-6 lead, forcing a Xavier timeout.
• Xavier rallied to knot the score at 16 and then again at 19, but Miranda Wucherer took over for the Norse, scoring two of the next three points and serving on a point that was mishandled by Xavier's setter.
• NKU took the set, 25-22.
• Wucherer had five kills, five digs and eight assists in the stanza.
• Libs matched Wucherer in the kill department.

Fifth Set Summary

• XU jumped out to a quick 7-3 advantage and NKU never seriously threatened in a 15-6 fifth set victory for the Musketeers.
• The Norse converted four kills to Xavier's nine.

Norse Notes

• Led by Libs' 19 kills, three Norse reached double-figures in the kills department. Wucherer added 13 and Gentile chimed in with 10.
• Wucherer was extremely efficient on the offensive attack, converting .600 of her attempts.
• Olsen matched Wucherer's 30 assists. She added nine digs to the cause as well.
• Ashton Terrill led the back line for the Norse, scooping up 16 Musketeer attacks.
• NKU hit .210, compared to .303 for XU.

Next Up
Northern Kentucky opens the 2018 slate at the Notre Dame Invitational, Aug. 24-25. Toledo provides the first test for the Norse in a 4 p.m. Friday night matchup.