Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Eastern Michigan
XU Netters Avenge Loss to Eastern Michigan
09.07.07 | Volleyball
Sept. 7, 2007
Ann Arbor, Mich. - It was less than a week ago that the Eastern Michigan Eagles defeated the Xavier volleyball team in the finale of the Aussie Xavier Invitational. The Musketeers turned the tables this afternoon, sweeping EMU convincingly, 3-0 (30-23, 30-20, 30-21), to open play at the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge at Cliff Keen Arena Friday. Xavier improves to 8-2 on the season after the three-game sweep.
The Blue and White put together a team effort as sophomore Kelly Ruth smashed a team-high 13 kills and senior Jenni Horvath got under a team-high 15 digs. Senior Jill Quayle continues to be a blocking machine, tallying seven total blocks (3 BS, 4 BA) and freshman Katie Russell served up three aces in the match. Sophomore Hillary Otte put together an impressive .588 hitting percentage (12-2-17) over three games.
The Eagles jumped out to an early lead in the first frame going ahead, 4-1. The Musketeers tied the game at seven apiece after a service ace from Russell which jumpstarted a 9-3 XU run. Xavier's lead blossomed to 10 after a kill by Ruth notched the score at 24-14 in favor of the Musketeers. EMU never came closer than to within seven to close out the frame and Xavier went up one game to none after a 30-23 game-one victory.
Game two was controlled by Xavier from start to finish. Ruth smashed down the first point of the frame and from that point on XU never lost the lead. There were three ties early on but after a kill by sophomore Lauren Kaminsky put the tally at 7-6 in favor of Xavier, the Musketeers never looked back. Eastern Michigan cut the XU lead to four at 19-14 and forced the Blue and White into a timeout. Out of the break, Xavier closed game two with an 11-5 point advantage over EMU and took the second frame, 30-20.
The third game was never in doubt as Xavier held the lead the entire frame. XU went on a 5-0 run in the middle of the game as the Musketeers doubled up the Eagles, 16-8. EMU would fight back but never got within more than four points. Xavier would take game three, 30-21, and the match, 3-0.
For Eastern Michigan Kim Jarzynka had a team-high 16 digs and Katie Bates posted a team-high 10 kills. The Eagles fall to 7-3 on the season after losing to #14 Michigan earlier in the day as well.
The Musketeers are set to face the host #14 Michigan Wolverines in the nightcap of the Michigan/Pepsi Challenge with first serve set for 7:30 pm. Audio feed from the match is being streamed live through Michigan's website as well as live stats through Gametracker. Click here to be redirected to that site.
