Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
North Dakota State<br>(Diet Coke Classic)
Bjorklund Leads Xavier Past North Dakota State
09.03.05 | Volleyball
Sept. 3, 2005
Box Score
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - A rocky start for Xavier turned into a dedicated effort by junior Astyn Bjorklund and the rest of the Musketeers to rally back resulting in XU defeating North Dakota State in both team's second match of the Diet Coke Classic at the University of Minnesota. XU took the match with scores of 30-32, 30-26, 30-19 and 30-27 over NDSU.
A back and forth battle started the match with 17 ties and 17 lead changes occurring in the first game. Xavier could not get anything going at the net with only nine kills in the game and eight hitting errors, while North Dakota State pounded out 20 kills but also hurt themselves with 15 hitting errors. Four Musketeers recorded two kills in the game and XU had three aces as well.
The second game featured much of the same as 10 ties and 10 lead changes occurred. With the score 24-21, Xavier senior Kate Duchek landed two aces and pushed the XU lead to 27-22. The Bison would rally back to close within 28-26, but the Musketeers would record the final two points to knot the match at one game apiece.
Game three saw XU fall behind early but battle back. With the score 14-10 in favor of NDSU, Xavier went on a 9-1 run to take the lead for good. During that stretch, junior Danielle Skrajewski served eight straight points to give XU the advantage. Classmate Bjorklund continued to shine in her return home as the middle blocker tallied six kills and two block assists in game three to help the Musketeers rally back.
In the final game, Bjorklund again took charge. The Minnesota native recorded seven kills in the game with the final blow delivered by the junior as well. Xavier held North Dakota State to a .190 hitting percentage in the game and forced six errors and allowing only 14 kills by the Bison. XU notched 21 kills on 58 attempts in the game to take game four and the match.
Bjorklund ended the match with 22 kills, a .436 hitting percentage and eight block assists. The 22 kills were one shy of her career high and she now has 612 career kills. Freshman Jenn Welsh established a new career as well as the Goodland, Ind. native dished out 50 assists on the match as well as two aces. Three other Musketeers were recorded double-digit kills with Jill Quayle pounding out 11 on a .375 hitting percentage, Duchek recording 13 and Skrajewski notching 10. Jordan Brightwell and Carley Horvath led the backline with 13 and 12 digs, respectively.
Xavier will return to the court tonight at 7:30 pm CT as the Musketeers take on No. 6 Minnesota for the Diet Coke Classic Championship match.
