HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky volleyball fell in its home opener of the 2019 season with a tough fought five-set loss to Ball State in its first match of the NKU Invitational. The Norse won the first two sets, 25-18 and 25-19, while the Cardinals claimed the final three frames, 26-24, 25-23 and 15-9.

First Set Summary

• The Norse took control early in the opening set, leading nearly the entire set.
• NKU broke away following a 4-1 run in the middle of the set including one of Ashton Terrill's three aces of the match
• Laura Crawford was nearly unstoppable in the first set, terminating six kills on ten swings. As a team, the Norse were able to put away 15 of 38 attempts in the set to finish at .289.
• A balanced back row of Ashton Terrill (7 digs), Laura Crawford (4 digs), Anna Brinkmann (4 digs), and Miranda Wucherer (4 digs) combined with a solid blocking front with four total stuffs in the set, held the Cardinals to only .023 hitting.

Second Set Summary

• NKU maintained a narrow lead throughout set two until finally breaking out on an 8-2 run to stretch to a 23-16 lead, after which it coasted to take the set.
• Back-to-back aces by Terrill as well as a balanced attack with kills by four different Norse capped the run.
• Strong play from the middles helped Northern Kentucky as Natalie Hardig dominated the set with four kills on five attempts and Bailey Western added two additional kills as well as three block assists.

 
Third Set Summary

• Ball State made adjustments heading into the possible deciding set, which proved to make the difference as they improved to finish hitting at a .355 clip in this stanza. This included Sydnee Vanbeek having five kills on seven attempts.
• NKU attempted to battle back to tie the game at 24, but was thwarted in its attempts as Ball State converted the final two points to keep the match alive.
• Brinkmann, Western, and Abby Kanakry led the team with four kills apiece. Brinkmann also led the set in digs with five.

 
Fourth Set Summary

• This set saw 12 ties and six lead changes as the Cardinals fought to keep the match going.
• The Norse were unable to break through despite strong defense as Terrill racked up nine digs in the frame.
• NKU was unable to convert to offense as they only hit .132, as the set was capped off with three straight attack errors.

Fifth Set Summary

• Ball State came out with a fire in the last set and the Norse were unable to overcome. Ball State only trailed following the first point, and rode quick runs to victory.
• The Norse were plagued by errors in the set as they ended up hitting .000 as they had six miscues to erase their six kills whereas the Cardinals finished with a .286 hitting percentage on the set.

  
Norse Notes

• Anna Brinkmann finished with 16 kills and 19 digs for the seventh double-double of her career. She was not alone in the double-doubles category as three additional Norse achieved the mark.
• Crawford's 16 kills and 11 digs as well as Wucherer's 27 assists and 13 scoops provided each player with their 19^th career double-double.
• Olsen (25 assists, 10 digs) raked in double-doubles as well, marking the 40^th time the senior has done so.
• Western and Hardig brought strength to the middle with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Hardig also chipped in with two solo blocks and seven block assists while Western added six block assists.
• Terrill recorded a 29-dig match, establishing a new season-high, and also chipped in five assists and three aces.
• As a team, the Norse hit .196 while holding Ball State to a .177 hitting percentage. NKU also out-dug the Cardinals, 91-88. The Norse were also more stout at the net, with a 15.5-13 edge in blocks.

 
Up Next

• NKU wraps up its home tournament Saturday with a pair of matches, starting with Notre Dame at noon. The Norse cap off their day hosting cross-river rival Cincinnati at 7:30 p.m.