HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky volleyball had a strong start to the Horizon League season, sweeping Youngstown State in a match that lasted just over an hour, 25-13, 25-10, 25-13. The Norse move to 8-5 overall and 1-0 in Horizon League play while the Penguins drop to 6-8 (0-1 Horizon).
First Set Summary
- The Norse quickly took the lead in the match, setting the tone with a 7-2 run to start the frame before Youngstown State called for a timeout. NKU went on multiple runs to extend the advantage further, including a 6-0 run that featured five Norse kills and an ace.
- NKU hit .282 while holding Youngstown State to a .027 clip. Abby Kanakry led the way with four kills on nine swings, while Natalie Hardig added three kills. Ashton Terrill paced the defense with eight digs and Laura Crawford added six.
Second Set Summary
- The second set started off as a closer battle, but the Norse took off at the 10-8 mark and closed the match on a 15-2 run.
- NKU hit .550 in the set, terminating 13 kills on 20 attempts with just two errors. The Penguins were held to five kills and committed six errors, hitting -.043.
- Three Norse had perfect outings, as Kanakry was 4-for-4, Bailey Western was 3-for-3 and Hardig was 2-for-2. Crawford had a hand in all three of NKU's blocks in the set, with two assists and one solo stuff.
Third Set Summary
- Similar to the previous set, the two teams were close in the early points before NKU ended the set on a 13-1 run. The Norse kept up their hot hitting with 14 kills and one error for a .500 clip, while the Penguins had seven kills and seven miscues.
- Crawford had four kills on eight swings to lead the Norse in the final frame, while Hardig was 3-for-3 and Kanakry was 2-for-2.
Norse Notes
- Kanakry had the most efficient match of her career, hitting .667 with 10 kills on 15 swings and no errors.
- Hardig and Western both hit .500 or higher, with Hardig tallying eight kills at a .583 clip while Western hit .500 with six kills. Western also led the Norse at the net with five blocks.
- Crawford added seven kills and no errors on 19 attempts, hitting .368 in the victory, to go with seven digs and four blocks.
- Terrill led the back row with 13 digs as the Norse out-dug the Penguins in an offense-heavy matchup, 37-34.
- NKU hit .412 in the victory, marking the first time that the Norse have hit above .400 since Oct. 23, 2016, when the Norse connected at a .430 clip against Wright State.
- The Norse held their fourth opponent under .100 this season, as the Penguins had 20 kills and 20 errors for a .000 hitting percentage. NKU has held an opponent to a .000 hitting percentage just two other times since transitioning to Division I – in the first match of the era against Saint Peter's on Aug. 24, 2012, and again on Aug. 30, 2014, at Morehead State.
Up Next
- NKU hosts Cleveland State tomorrow, Sept. 28. First serve against the Vikings is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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