KSU’s volleyball team suffered a 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-22) loss Saturday at home against Northern Kentucky in its first ever match against the newsest
Atlantic Sun Conference member.
KSU struggled for the first two sets, trailing in the first at 25-14, and at one point in the second 21-15. The Owls struggled to maintain a strong defensive presence with only four total team blocks, allowing a high-scoring game for the Norse.
The Owls fought hard in the third set, coming out on the court better united and more focused. Both teams went back and forth, with no one taking a great lead. KSU rallied for each point attempt, making it the closest set of the entire match. The Owls finished the set strong at 22 to NKU’s 25.
“Northern Kentucky did a great job; they have a strong senior leadership and that put us back on our heels in the first two sets,” assistant coach Jennifer Charles said. “I think by the time we got to the third set we just made too many errors.”
The Owls suffered a low hitting percentage at .097. Northern Kentucky nearly tripled that by averaging .263 overall as a team, thus allowing them betting scoring opportunities.
Despite the loss, KSU’s efforts were strong, led by Emily Bean with 10 kills and 10.5 points. Turea Jones showed her skill, coming close to matching Bean in kills with nine, and scoring nine points.
Sara Metroka booked 29 assists out of the team total of 32, putting her only one assist behind NKU’s leading setter.
Camille Pedraza led the team in digs with 12, followed by Turea Jones with eight to contribute to a team total of 34.
Saturday’s game marked time for reflection and preparation for the Owls.
“I think for us, it’s just a matter of showing up and playing Owls volleyball,” Charles said. “All of us showing up to play from the first set and minimizing our errors. It is about us capitalizing on being able to make more positive points than negative errors.”
The Owls will hit the road Tuesday taking on Montgomery’s Alabama State Lady Hornets who are currently 1-16 for the season and 1-0 for the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The game is set for 7 p.m.
