OXFORD, Ohio – Alondra Vazquez recorded 26 kills and 18 digs in the finale of the Miami Ohio Invitational, which saw the University of Evansville volleyball team drop its first match of the season by a 3-1 final to Northern Kentucky.

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Box Score (PDF)

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Vazquez led the Purple Aces in both categories.  Melanie Feliciano had an equally impressive performance, registering 20 kills and 15 digs.  Taya Haffner led the way with 46 assists while Hannah Watkins posted three block assists.
 
Set 1
Vazquez set the tone early on, opening the morning with back-to-back kills with the Aces jumping out to a 10-3 lead.  Northern Kentucky cut the deficit to four points at 16-12 before the Aces went back on the attack.  Finishing the set on a 9-3 run, UE took a 1-0 lead with a 25-15 decision.  Feliciano led the way in the set with eight kills.
 
Set 2
In the second frame, it was the Norse who were able to pull away for the win, tying the match with a 25-16 victory.  The turning point for NKU came when they turned a 10-8 lead into a 21-12 advantage thanks to an 11-4 rally on their way to evening the score at 1-1.
 
Set 3
Evansville held the lead through majority of the first half of the set.  After NKU took a 14-13 lead, the Aces countered with a 4-0 run to jump back in front at 17-14.  Four consecutive Feliciano kills comprised the run.  The Norse inched their way back, retaking the lead at 22-21 before hanging on for a 27-25 decision in extra points.
 
Set 4
Northern Kentucky jumped out to a 10-6 lead to open the fourth set before the Aces stormed back, using a 6-0 rally to take a 12-10 lead.  Haffner's efficient serving kept the Norse off balance while Vazquez added a kill.  UE continued to hold strong, going back on top at 21-20 on the 25^th kill by Vazquez.  The Norse responded with two in a row and would go on to clinch the match with a 25-23 win.
 
Next weekend, the Aces host the Dunn Hospitality Tournament on Friday and Saturday.  Liberty, Murray State and Cleveland State are the opponents.
 

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