Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Cal State Northridge
First Match Unkind for Xavier
09.08.06 | Volleyball
Sept. 8, 2006
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - In the first meeting between the two schools, Xavier fell to Cal State Northridge in three games by scores of 30-17, 30-19 and 30-20. The match was XU's first of the weekend in the UNLV Invitational where Xavier will face three teams for the first time. The Musketeers now stand at 3-5 on the season, while the Matadors even their record to 3-3 overall.
In the opening game of the match, the two teams were knotted at 2-2 before Cal State Northridge took the lead for good with the next point and did not look back. The Matadors would surge for a 10-3 run before XU would recover to pull within four at 12-8. The Musketeers would then allow another 11-3 run by Northridge which would put the game out of reach. The Matadors would hold Xavier to a -.040 hitting percentage, while hitting at a .375 clip.
Game two was the same story as the opener as XU could not control the Northridge runs. The Matadors would grab a 10 point advantage after a 13-3 run in the first 18 points of the game. The Musketeers would record a .233 hitting percentage with only four errors on the game but could not stop a potent Northridge attack that posted a .514 percentage with 20 kills on the game.
The third and final game found XU keep the game close until the final 12 points of the match. Cal State Northridge would record nine of the final 12 points in the game to close out the Musketeers for good. A kill by junior Jill Quayle would make the score 10-6 and bring Xavier to within four points but once again the Musketeers could not get any closer. The Blue and White would again get within four at 21-17 after two Quayle kills, a kill by senior Danielle Skrajewski and a net violation but the Matadors would close out with the 9-3 run over the final 12 points.
Quayle and Skrajewski led the way for the Musketeers with seven kills apiece. Quayle notched a .462 hitting percentage, while Jenni Horvath finished with four kills on nine swings for a .444 percentage. Freshman Lauren Kaminsky ended with a team-high 12 digs and added two block assists and one of only three of Xavier's aces.
As a team, Xavier committed 11 service errors and 22 attack errors along with many overpasses. XU finished with only 29 kills on the match in 93 attempts for a .075 hitting percentage.
The Musketeers will return to the court tomorrow afternoon as XU will take on UC Santa Barbara at 5:30 pm EST and host UNLV at 10:00 pm EST. This will be the first meeting for Xavier against UCSB and UNLV. Today's meeting against Cal State Northridge was also the first time the Musketeers have matched up with the Matadors. XU is now 1-4 against opponents on a neutral court.
