LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Bellarmine University Knights volleyball squad suffered a narrow 3-2 (22-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20, 10-15) defeat to Great Lakes Valley Conference rival and No. 14 ranked Northern Kentucky University on Tuesday night at Knights Hall.
The Knights fell to 11-10 (5-9 GLVC) on the season, while the Norse advanced to 21-3 (11-3 GLVC). Knights Hall was adorned with pink ribbons and balloons, and fans were encouraged to participate in a “Pink Out” to raise awareness for cancer. Knights Nation, the pep club of Bellarmine athletics, sold “Pink Out” tee shirts to raise money for the fight against cancer.
The Norse commanded, and held, an early lead in the first set before they fell in the second. The third set remained much closer, with four tie scores and two lead changes, until the Norse were able to widen the gap with an 18-11 lead. Stellar serving by Kelly Morrissey helped Northern Kentucky's rhythm.
The fourth set was also neck-and-neck, with three tie scores and two lead changes. A strong Knights offense, led by
Krista Gibson and
Paula Byrns, allowed the Knights to take, and hold, the lead.
The Norse remained in control of set five, to earn the match win. The Knights brought the set within two points at 6-8, but were unable to seize the lead. Fantastic serving and attacks by Sarah Drennen helped the Norse seal the deal in the final set.
Gibson slammed a team-high 16 kills for the Knights, and was joined in double digits by Byrns (10). Freshman
Erika Isham, who has seen more playing time in the past few matches, started each set and recorded seven kills (.316 hitting percentage). She also had four digs and three blocks in the match.
Freshman
Jaclyn Ohlmann was put to work by the Norse offense, but was able to manage 15 digs and a kill. Knights primary setter
Bailey BredenbeckCorp tallied 38 assists in the loss.
Drennen (22), Noelle Peterson (14) and Shelby Buschur (12) recorded double-digit kills in the Norse win. Drennen earned a match-high .436 hitting percentage for her offensive efforts. Setter Jenna Schreiver, last week's Baden/GLVC Player of the Week and the Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week, had a match-high 53 assists for the Norse.
The Knights hit the road this weekend for a pair of GLVC matches against St. Joseph's College and No. 21 ranked University of Indianapolis.
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