BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Northern Kentucky volleyball began the Holiday Inn - University Plaza Invite, hosted by No. 21 nationally ranked Western Kentucky, with a match against the tournament host inside the E.A. Diddle Arena Thursday evening.
Northern Kentucky (1-6, 0-0 Horizon) was ready for another test against the Hilltoppers (7-1, 0-0 C-USA) having just played WKU a week ago in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Norse looked impressive through three sets, holding down a 2-1 match lead after dropping set one but battling back to win set number two at 25-23, and then completely control set number three with a win at 25-18. WKU answered right back with a set four win of 25-16 over the Norse to force a decisive set five in this nonconference bout. The Hilltoppers ultimately used their new found momentum to propel themselves to a 15-9 win, escaping the Northern Kentucky upset bid.
TOP NORSE
- Anna Brinkmann: 22 kills, 21 digs, 2 blocks
- Abby Kanakry: 15 kills, 1 block
- Allie Siefke: 6 blocks, 2 aces, 6 kills, .385 attack pct.
- Torie Houston: 22 assists, 2 aces, 9 digs
- Anna Burke: 18 digs, 1 ace, 8 assists
NKU TAKEAWAYS
- Brinkmann anchored the Norse in both kills and digs this evening, posting her third double-double of the season. Her 22 kills and 21 digs were both season-highs as well.
- Kanakry also saw a season-high in total kills with 15 against WKU.
- Burke posted her sixth straight match with 10 or more digs as she is up to 117 on the season, 764 for her career.
UP NEXT
NKU remains in Bowling Green, Ky. tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 9 as the Norse will compete in a doubleheader at the Holiday Inn - University Plaza Invite inside E.A. Diddle Arena. Northern Kentucky will first face Toledo at 12 p.m. (ET) and will conclude the tournament with a match against Austin Peay at 4 p.m. (ET). Live stats will be available for both matches here.
FOLLOW NKU NORSE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's women's volleyball team through @NKUNorseVB on Twitter, @NKUNorseVBall on Instagram, nkunorsevball on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse Youtube channel.
