at Northern Kentucky (10-5, 2-0 GLVC): 3
Southern Indiana (7-7, 1-1 GLVC): 1
Box Score

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky.—Junior outside hitter Brittani Oliver had a match-high 21 kills to go with nine digs and five blocks, but it was not enough as the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team fell to Northern Kentucky University 26-24, 25-13, 15-25, 25-22 Saturday afternoon.

USI (7-7, 1-1 GLVC) held leads of 17-12 and 16-12 in the first and fourth sets, respectively, but the Norse charged back in both frames to thwart the Screaming Eagles' attempt for the road win.

The serve-receive game hampered the Eagles throughout the match as Northern Kentucky recorded 13 service aces, including a pair late in the first stanza and another two in its comeback in the fourth set.

Despite the trouble in the serve-receive game, the Eagles' presence at the net gave the Norse fits all day. USI, which finished with 14.0 team blocks, had seven blocks in the third set alone as the Eagles pulled to within a game.

USI looked to be in control of the fourth stanza as it opened up the four-point advantage and held a 20-18 edge late in the set. The Norse, however, capitalized on some untimely USI errors to forge ahead and take a 23-21 lead before winning the match on a USI attacking error.

In addition to Oliver, the Eagles got five kills and a match-high seven blocks from senior middle blocker Ashley Henricks, while senior setter Melanie Pund had 31 assists and five blocks.

USI, which recorded its 500th all-time victory Friday night against Bellarmine, opens its home slate Friday when it hosts Drury University at the Physical Activities Center. Match-time is slated for 7 p.m.