Liberty University
3-2
Northern Arizona
4-1
Liberty Falls at Northern Arizona, 3-0
9/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The host Northern Arizona Lumberjacks hit .342 on the way to a 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-23) victory over Liberty, Saturday at NAU's J.C. Rolle Activity Center.
The Lumberjacks (4-1) are 2-0 at this weekend's Lumberjack Classic heading into their match tonight against Loyola Marymount. The Lady Flames (3-2) fall to 0-2 on the weekend, before facing Houston Baptist (4-2) later this evening.
Northern Arizona recorded 51 kills with a .342 hitting percentage, while Liberty hit .108 with 25 kills. The home team led, 53-44 in digs, 9-6 in blocks and 8-3 in service aces.
Lauren Jacobsen scored a match-high 17 kills for NAU, to go along with 12 digs and three aces. Janae Vander Ploeg recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs, while Jensen Barton totaled 43 assists and five blocks. Payton Bock posted nine kills and five blocks, while Stacia Williams collected 11 digs.
For Liberty, Gabrielle Vess and Sirena Vorster tied for the team high with six kills apiece. Anna Willey recorded her fourth career double-double, and second this season, totaling 20 assists and 10 digs. Margaret Latchford collected 12 digs to pace Liberty, while Jade Vorster recorded four blocks (two solo, two assisted).
NAU used a set-ending 8-0 run to pull away for a 25-14 victory during the opening stanza. Sirena Vorster brought Liberty to within 15-13 with a kill, before the Lumberjacks outscored the Lady Flames, 10-1, over the final 11 serves. The hosts held a .300-.000 advantage in hitting percentage, including 16-4 in kills. Jacobsen led all players with five kills.
The Lumberjacks sent down 19 kills at a .613 pace in set two, scoring a 25-11 victory and 2-0 match lead. Vander Ploeg recorded five kills, followed by four each from Jacobsen and Addy Lofstedt. Liberty attacked at a .172 pace, scoring eight set-two kills.
The Lady Flames staged a seven-point run during set three, turning a 14-11 deficit into an 18-14 advantage. Liberty led, 20-15, following a Vess-Jade Vorster block before NAU staged a 7-0 surge of its own. Vander Ploeg gave the hosts match point at 24-21. The Lady Flames fought off two match-point tries, before Vander Ploeg converted a kill to complete the sweep, 25-23.
NAU outhit Liberty, .186-.136, during the final set, as the Lumberjacks posted five blocks in set three. Jacobsen scored eight set-three kills.
Today's match between Liberty and Northern Arizona will be aired on a taped-delay basis on Fox Sports Arizona next Tuesday at 7 p.m. Eastern, and on Fox College Sports Pacific, Wednesday at 8 a.m. Eastern.
Liberty brings its time in Flagstaff, Ariz., to a close this evening, taking on Houston Baptist at 8 p.m. Eastern.
