The Northern Kentucky University volleyball team lost a pair of three-set decisions to nationally ranked teams to finish their play at the University of Tampa Classic on Saturday.

NKU began the day falling to No. 13 Nebraska-Kearney 25-17, 25-22, 25-16. Junior outside hitter Noelle Peterson led the Norse with 12 kills while sophmore outside hitter Shelby Buschur added 11 kills. Freshman defensive specialist Kylee Tarantino had 12 digs in the loss for NKU.

NKU completed the tournament losing 25-18, 25-22, 25-16 to No. 3 Tampa. Buschur finished with 12 kills while Tarantino led the team with nine digs.

The two losses bring NKU’s record to 0-4, as they lost to No. 1 Concordia-St. Paul and No. 5 Central Missouri to begin the tournament on Friday.

The Norse will look to get on track as they play host to Mount St. Joseph in the home opener at Regents Hall Tuesday, followed by another home game the following night against Charleston (W.Va.).

Story by John Minor