Youngstown, Ohio — Youngstown State battled through 20 ties and seven lead changes with Horizon League-leading Northern Kentucky on Friday, but the Norse beat the Penguins in straight sets. The scores from Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center were 25-23, 25-20, 25-20.

Gabriela Machin led all players with 14 kills and a .542 attack percentage, and Abbie Householder posted 12 kills. Kameron Blizniak had a double-double with 23 assists and 10 digs, and Brie Habeeb added 13 digs.

Allison Risley led the Norse with 12 kills, and three of her teammates had between seven and nine kills. The Norse also benefited from 13 YSU serving errors.

The opening set featured 10 ties, the last coming at 23 after a Machin kill. NKU scored the final two points of the set on a kill by Ava Hoying and a Penguin attack error.

Youngstown State led 15-14 in the second set, but the Norse scored six consecutive points behind Risley's serve to go up 20-15. They matched that five-point edge for the final margin.

Both teams had their best offensive showing in the third set as NKU hit .444 and YSU hit .229, and the Norse held the edge after taking an 8-7 lead. Machin posted seven kills in 11 attempts in the set, her last of which brought the Penguins to within 15-14. NKU went on a 6-2 run to pull ahead, and YSU got no closer than three.

Youngstown State and Northern Kentucky will play again on Saturday at 1 p.m. Due to the YSU football game at 6 p.m., fans are encouraged to park in the M-30 deck.