CINCINNATI — Opening the season with three matches north of the Ohio River, Northern Kentucky’s volleyball team finished the weekend winless.

The weekend concluded Saturday with a tight 3-0 loss to Cincinnati at Fifth Third Arena. UC won 26-24, 25-23 and 25-22.

Keely Creamer led the Norse with 11 kills. Haley Libs added eight kills. Mel Stewart led NKU with 17 digs. Keyaira Lankheit and Tristen Simpson each had four blocks.

Friday, the season opened with losses to Eastern Michigan and Xavier. At Cintas Center, the Musketeers defeated the Norse 25-21, 25-22 and 25-8.

Taylor Snyder had 24 assists and 12 digs to lead the Norse.

A 10-1 Xavier run in the third set was too much for NKU to overcome.

Earlier Friday, the season began with a 3-0 loss to Eastern Michigan back on the University of Cincinnati campus.

Eastern Michigan won 25-20, 25-21 and 33-31.

Creamer led the way with 18 kills. Simpson had 11 kills and Libs had nine. Snyder had 43 assists and 10 digs.

NKU tried to force the match to a fourth set, but fell short in the marathon 33-31 third set.

The Norse continue a season-beginning 12-game road trip Friday in Edwardsville, Ill. They play Louisiana Tech 5:30 p.m. Friday, Arkansas 3 p.m. Saturday and SIU Edwardsville 8 p.m. Saturday.

The home opener for the Norse is 7 p.m. Sept. 25 against Valparaiso.