Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Central Florida<br>(Diet Coke Classic)
Junior Duo Leads the Way for Xavier
09.02.05 | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2005
Box Score
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - In the opening match of the Diet Coke Classic hosted by the Univesity of Minnesota, Xavier defeated Central Florida in three games by scores of 30-18, 31-29 and 30-27. Juniors Astyn Bjorklund and Danielle Skrajewski each recorded double-digit kills to help the Musketeers improve to 4-0 on the season, while the Golden Knights remain winless at 0-3.
The opening game saw Xavier fall behind early as Central Florida jumped out to the early 3-0 lead. An ace by freshman Jenn Welsh brought the score to 3-3 and XU followed with a 5-0 run with the score 18-15 to put the game out of reach at 23-15. During that stretch, Skrajewski and Bjorklund recorded a kill and an ace, respectively.
In the second game, UCF rebounded to keep the score even throughout the entire frame. With both teams hitting under .210 for the game, net presence was a huge factor for both sides. XU ended the game with five total blocks, while the Golden Knights recorded four. Eight service errors by the Musketeers also did not help the blue and white's efforts.
Game three was again a nail-biter as Xavier could not seem to put away Central Florida. A match-high 18 team kills by XU was countered by a .222 hitting percentage by the Golden Knights. With the score knotted at 27-27, a kill by Skrajewski pushed the Musketeers ahead for good and allowed senior Carley Horvath to finish the game with a kill just outside the three meter line to give XU the match.
Juniors Bjorklund and Skrajewski both turned in outstanding performances on the night. The Nicollet, Minn. native, Bjorklund, returned home to record a match-high 14 kills and a .565 hitting percentage. Skrajewski was second on the team with 13 kills to go along with 10 digs and recorded her 22nd career double-double. Senior Kate Duchek rebounded after a tough start to be the third and final Musketeer with double-digit kills as the senior ended with 10 on the match. Sophomore Jill Quayle recorded nine kills and a .500 hitting percentage on 16 swings, while senior Jordan Brightwell led the defense with 14 digs marking her 62nd match with 10 or more digs. Welsh dished out a career-high 46 assists and tallied two aces as well. Horvath finished with a match-high four aces and 11 digs.
The Musketeers, now 4-0 on the season, will return to action tomorrow morning at 10:00 am CT. XU will take on North Dakota State and then return for the nightcap against No. 6 Minnesota at 7:30 pm CT.
