EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team cut a two-set deficit in half, but could not completely erase the margin as it fell to Northern Kentucky University 25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21 Friday night at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (6-8, 1-5 GLVC), which rallied from an early deficit to win the third set and cut the Norse lead in half, found itself staked to a 15-7 lead in the fourth frame and poised to even the match at two sets each.

Northern Kentucky (13-3, 5-1 GLVC), however, used a 14-3 run to erase the Screaming Eagles' lead and kill any momentum USI had built. USI cut the Norse lead to 22-21, but Northern Kentucky reeled off three straight points to finish the set and the match.

USI struggled to stop Northern Kentucky's opposite side hitter tandem of seniors Kristina Eisenmenger and Kelsey Wesaw. The two combined for 38 of NKU's 61 kills and a .433 attacking percentage.

The Eagles countered with sophomore outside hitter Brittani Oliver (Indianapolis, Indiana), who led the Eagles with 19 kills and a .385 attacking percentage, and junior middle blocker Ashley Henricks (Greenwood, Indiana), who finished with a match-high nine block assists. As a team, the Eagles racked up 13 blocks.

Junior outside hitter Courtney Bealor (LaPorte, Indiana) added 10 kills, while junior setter Melanie Pund (Ferdinand, Indiana) finished with 31 assists. Sophomore libero Janae Curnutt (Arcadia, Indiana) had 14 digs in the loss.

The Eagles return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. when they host Saint Joseph's College at the PAC. USI also hosts the University of North Alabama Tuesday at 5 p.m.