The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team continues its defense of the Regents Hall court on Tuesday when the Norse welcome in Horizon League front runner Cleveland State for a 7 p.m. first serve.
The game will be carried live on ESPN3, with coverage also available at NKUStats.com.
ABOUT CLEVELAND STATE: The Vikings are riding hot after a 3-1 victory at Wright State on Saturday to claim their eighth consecutive victory. An offensive juggernaut, CSU is first or second in the Horizon League in hitting, opponent hitting, kills and blocks, led by Christina Toth and Alexis Middlebrooks. Toth is averaging 4.11 kills per set, ranking fourth in the League, while Middlebrooks is the League’s most prolific blocker, averaging over a block per set, as well as ranking third in the league in hitting at .328. Dayna Roberts holds down the back row, averaging 3.72 digs per set.
LAST TIME OUT: The Norse were dominant in a three-set sweep over Youngstown State on Friday evening. Four different Norse were in double figures for kills, led by Keely Creamer and Jayden Julian, who each had 12, while Kelly Turner added a career-high 10 digs. Mel Stewart posted a season-high 27 digs in the contest as well.
EFFICENCY IS THE KEY: In each of NKU’s seven wins this season, the team has been efficient on the attack, posting a team hitting percentage of .247 or higher in those victories. Additionally, in five of those seven victories, Keely Creamer has posted a hitting percentage of .345 or better.
HOME SWEET HOME: Since making the move to Division I in 2012, NKU has been effective in defending home court. On the floor at Regents Hall, the Norse have posted a 24-11 overall record, including a 10-2 mark last season. So far this year, NKU is 1-2 at home with five home matches remaining.
FRESHMAN CONTRIBUTION: NKU’s freshman class continues to do great things for the Norse. Haley Libs leads all Horizon League freshmen with 190 kills on the season, while Kelly Turner ranks 10th among League freshmen in the same category. And despite missing six matches earlier this season, Keyaira Lankheit still ranks third among first-year players in total blocks with 35.
ONE MORE STEP UP: With her second dig on Tuesday evening, Mel Stewart will again climb another rung on the ladder of NKU’s greatest defenders. Stewart stands at 1,247 career digs, just one short of contemporary Anna Prickel (2010-13) for seventh all time. With a 24-dig performance, which would mark her third in a row and fourth in five matches, Stewart can pass Chelsea Clark (2007-10) to move into sixth.
ACE IN THE HOLE: NKU had a stellar service game on Tuesday night, going for nine service aces to tie a season high set on Sept. 12 in a victory over Jackson State. NKU last reached double figures in aces on Oct. 12, 2013, when they picked up 10 in a four-set win over Mercer. NKU’s Division I record is 15 service aces, set in NKU’s D-1 debut on Aug. 24, 2012 against Saint Peter’s.
UP NEXT: The Norse will close out their three-match home stand on Friday when the Norse play host to Oakland. First serve is set for 7 p.m. with the action carried live on ESPN3.
From NKU Athletics