HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team opens the 2015 season this weekend with a trio of matches across two venues representing the Queen City Classic.
 
The Norse open the weekend on Friday at noon, taking on Eastern Michigan at Fifth Third Arena on the campus of the University of Cincinnati. Later that evening, the Norse will head to Xavier to take on the Musketeers at Cintas Center for a 7 p.m. first serve. The weekend concludes on Saturday with a noon first serve at Cincinnati. Links to live stats and Saturday's broadcast are available at NKUNorse.com.
 
Northern Kentucky University Norse (0-0)
Eastern Michigan University Eagles (0-0)
Fifth Third Arena – Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug. 28 – noon
Series History: Series Tied, 1-1
First meeting: Oct. 4, 1980 at ESU (NKU 9-15, 15-10, 15-11)
Last meeting: Sept. 6, 2014 at NKU (ESU 25-17, 25-20, 25-19)
 
NKU
Xavier University Musketeers (0-0)
Cintas Center – Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug. 28 – 7 p.m.
Series History: Xavier leads, 9-8
First meeting: Nov. 1, 1975 at NKU (NKU 15-2, 15-11)
Last meeting: Aug. 31, 2013 at XU (XU 25-15, 25-16, 23-25, 25-15)
 
NKU
University of Cincinnati Bearcats (0-0)
Fifth Third Arena – Cincinnati, Ohio
Aug. 29 – noon
Series History: Series tied, 6-6
First meeting: Nov. 6, 1976 at UC (UC 2-0)
Last meeting: Sept. 14, 2013 at UC (NKU 25-23, 22-25, 15-25, 25-13, 15-13) 
 
ABOUT EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Eagles feature an experienced roster with six seniors returning to the court after an 18-13 campaign in 2014. Two-time All-MAC libero Corynne Smith will key the defensive efforts for EMU, while Katie Krasowski will look to shore up the offense after averaging 2.18 kills per set and totaling over 100 blocks last season.
 
ABOUT XAVIER: The Musketeers open their season against the Norse after a 19-12 season last year. Xavier will bring a young squad to the court at Cintas Center, featuring six sophomores and five freshmen. Abbey Bessler, the team's leading attacker last season, comes back for her junior campaign after averaging 3.59 kills and 2.75 digs per set last year, both leading the team in that category.
 
ABOUT CINCINNATI: The Bearcats look to rebound from a 15-17 finish last season, taking on the Norse after opening the season on Friday against Eastern Michigan. Emma Roberson was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-AAC Team after finishing the 2014 campaign with 415 kills (3.35 per set).
 
PRESEASON POLL: NKU was chosen sixth in the Horizon League's preseason coaches' poll. The Norse will play their inaugural season in the Horizon League this year after spending the last three as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference. Oakland claimed the top spot by unanimous vote while Milwaukee, Valparaiso, UIC and Cleveland State rounded out the top five.
 
SUPURB SET UP: Junior all-conference honoree Taylor Snyder will return to assume the setting duties for the Norse this season. The Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, native averaged 10.23 assists per set last season, ranking third in the A-Sun, and led the Norse to a conference-best .232 hitting percentage as a team, claiming second-team honors at the end of the year.
 
KILLS FOR CREAMER: Keely Creamer was a foundation for the Norse offense last year, averaging 3.5 kills per set and 0.83 blocks per set to help lead the Norse to their first Division I postseason appearance in 2014.
 
STEWART DIGS A MILESTONE: Senior libero Mel Stewart is on pace to become the 18^th member of NKU's 1,000-dig club. She enters the season with 970 career digs after back-to-back career performances to end the 2014 season, going for 29 digs against Stetson in the A-Sun quarterfinals and 30 against Lipscomb in the semifinal round. She will be the first 1,000-dig player for NKU since Anna Prickel eclipsed the mark in 2013.
 
NEW BLOOD: Head coach Liz Hart has brought in one of her most talented freshman classes ever for the 2015 season, beginning with NKU's first ever Prep Volleyball Top 150 recruit in Haley Libs. Libs earned back-to-back state championships at Providence High School (Clarksville, Indiana) and was twice named an all-state competitor. Keyaira Lankheit was an all-region honoree at Newport (Kentucky) Central Catholic High School and Kelly Turner led Fort Loramie (Ohio) High School to a 2014 state championship.
 
NORSE GOING NATIONAL: NKU will see seven home volleyball matches carried for a nationwide audience over ESPN3 and the Horizon League Network. Through the partnership, almost the entire NKU home schedule will be available for fans unable to make it to Regents Hall. The broadcast schedule begins with NKU's home opener on Sept. 25 against Valparaiso.