RICHMOND, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse Volleyball wrapped up play in the Geri Polino Inviational on Saturday, taking on Akron in the morning and Eastern Kentucky in the evening. The Norse swept the early match, looking dominant against the Zips, but fell after a valiant effort in five sets to EKU. 

GAME ONE - AKRON
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 3, Akron – 0
LOCATION: Richmond, Ky. - Olympic Sports Training Center
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 3-5 (0-0 HL), Akron: 5-3 (0-0 AMC)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

- The Norse were dominant in the attack in all three sets, outhitting the Zips .297 to .113 in the match. 
- Northern Kentucky displayed a balanced offensive game as three players posted nine or more kills.
- Ava Hoying led NKU with 11 kills and a .417 hitting percentage. She also totaled three block assists and six digs. 
- Sydney Bray had another great match, posting an attacking line of 10-2-19 with five total blocks. 
- Allison Risley had nine kills for the Norse, hitting .214. 
- Freshman setter Abby Pickard led the Norse in assists with 30. She also had a pair of blocks and eight digs. 
- Lucy Cluxton led the Norse in digs with 13. 

GAME TWO - EASTERN KENTUCKY
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Northern Kentucky – 2, Eastern Kentucky – 3
LOCATION: Richmond, Ky. - Olympic Sports Training Center
RECORDS: Northern Kentucky: 3-6 (0-0 HL), EKU: 7-3 (0-0 ASUN)

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- NKU beat out the Colonels in every major statistic but digs, out-hitting the Colonels .203 to .193. 
- The two sides traded sets throughout the match, with EKU taking an extended first set, 28-26. The Norse then took set two, 25-23, before falling in set three, 20-25. NKU looked dominant in set four, hitting .429 in the set and winning 25-24, but fell behind early in the deciding set and couldn't muster up a late comeback as the Colonels took it 15-11.
- Five Norse posted ten or more kills, as Allison Risley led the way with 15. She also put up five aces and eight digs in the match.
- Ivey Stocks had nine total blocks and 14 kills in the match. 
- Sydney Bray recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 20 digs, also recording six total blocks. 
- Kendall Hopewell put up 10 kills on a .350 hitting percentage, recording four blocks. 
- Ava Hoying posted 13 kills in the match.
- Lucy Cluxton led the Norse in digs with 23. 
- Abby Pickard led NKU in assists with 52. 

UP NEXT
- NKU takes on Miami (OH) on the road next Friday night. 

FOLLOW NORSE VOLLEYBALL
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I women's volleyball team through @NKUNorseVB on X, @NKUNorseVBall on Instagram, nkunorsevball on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse YouTube channel.