Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Florida International
Xavier Volleyball Drops Two at FIU
09.02.06 | Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2006
MIAMI, Fla. - On the final day of the Florida International Tournament, Xavier University ended the afternoon with a record of 0-2 after playing host FIU and Oral Roberts. XU was downed in four games by the Golden Panthers and ORU in each match. After the day, Xavier now stands at 3-4 overall, while FIU improves to 4-1 and Oral Roberts stands at 2-5 on the season.
In the first match of the day, Xavier battled with host Florida International to four games but was unable to come away with the victory. XU dropped the match by scores of 26-30, 31-29, 14-30 and 27-30. Statistically, both teams played even with kills (64 each) and total blocks (six each) and FIU holding slim advantages in digs (56-52), hitting percentage (.312 to .228) and service aces (seven to four).
The Musketeers had three players with 10 or more kills and three others with 10 or more digs on the afternoon. Senior Danielle Skrajewski led the way with her 38th career double double and finished with 19 kills and 10 digs to go along with a .385 hitting percentage. Middle blockers Astyn Bjorklund and Jill Quayle were the other two players to notch at least 10 kills as each had 13 and 15, respectively. Defensively, Xavier was led by Megan Hellman's team-high 13 digs followed by freshman Lauren Kaminsky tallying 11 digs of her own. Junior Jenni Horvath took over the setting duties and ended the first match with 53 assists, three kills, five digs and one ace. Freshman Kelly Sherman earned her first collegiate kill, assist and block assist in the match.
In its second match of the afternoon, the Musketeers dueled with Oral Roberts for four games before falling by scores of 27-30, 30-27, 23-30 and 19-30. Both teams were even in most of the statistical categories with ORU holding an edge in hitting percentage (.287 to .193) and digs (72-60). XU and Oral Roberts were tied with 65 kills each in the match and ORU out-blocked the Musketeers 8.5 to 8.0 blocks on the match.
Freshman Hillary Otte led the Xavier offensive with 15 kills on 29 swings for a .448 hitting percentage. The rookie also added two aces and seven digs. Jill Quayle and Lauren Kaminsky each added 13 kills, while freshman Kelly Ruth rounded out the Musketeers with 10 or more kills and recorded her first career double double as she notched 12 kills and 11 digs on the afternoon. Jenni Horvath topped her first match total and finished with 55 assists and added seven assists. Quayle led Xavier at the net with one solo and four block assists. Megan Hellman again posted 10-plus digs as the sophomore finished with 14 on the match.
Because of her efforts on the weekend, Jenni Horvath was named to the all-tournament team. The junior finished with 13 kills, 109 assists, two aces, 18 digs and three block assists on the weekend.
The Musketeers will have the next week off before heading west for a tournament at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Xavier will take on the University of California, Santa Barbara, Cal State Northridge and host UNLV. The first match will get underway on Friday evening at 7:30 pm EST against Cal State Northridge followed by UCSB at 5:30 pm EST on Saturday and UNLV in the nightcap at 10:00 pm EST.
