Norse volleyball goes 2-1 at Cougar Classic

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Kody Kahle

NKU’s Jenna Ruble (17), Jayden Julian (21) and Taylor Snyder (11) celebrate a point during the Norse’s 3-0 win over Samford University. Northern Kentucky University won 3-0 against Samford University in the inaugural Northern Kentucky Volleyball Invitational on Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 in Regents Hall in Highland Heights, Kentucky.

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — After a tough opening weekend in Cincinnati, the volleyball team rebounded by winning a pair at the Cougar Classic this past weekend.

Haley Libs had 20 kills Saturday night as NKU defeated SIU Edwardsville in five sets, 25-27, 25-21, 25-20, 18-25, 15-7.

Keely Creamer added 15 kills while Jayden Julian had 13 kills. Taylor Snyder finished with 51 assists and 11 digs.

After dropping the opening set, NKU (2-4) held SIU Edwardsville (1-5) to just .083 hitting percentage in set two. The Norse won the set 25-21.

They would take set three by hitting at a .407 clip, 25-20. After dropping the fourth set, NKU rebounded by taking the fifth and deciding set 15-7.

NKU dropped a four-set match to Arkansas Saturday 25-21, 25-18, 12-25 and 25-11. Libs and Creamer led the way with 11 kills each. Julian had nine kills while Tristen Simpson had seven.

Friday, the Norse picked up its first win of the season over Louisiana Tech, 25-21, 25-14, 23-25, 25-17.

Libs had 16 kills to lead the Norse. Simpson had 12 kills while Julian added 11. Mel Stewart had 17 digs to lead NKU.

Now halfway through a season-opening 12 match road trip, NKU returns to action 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Eastern Kentucky, before a trio of weekend contests in Evansville, Indiana.