Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Fordham
Volleyball Comes From Behind, Defeats Fordham, 3-2
10.17.08 | Volleyball
Oct. 17, 2008
CINCINNATI - After falling behind by two sets, the Xavier volleyball team won three straight games to take down the visiting Fordham Rams, 3-2 (22-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 15-13), Friday night at Cintas Center. With the win, the Musketeers remain unbeaten in Atlantic 10 play and have now won seven of their last eight matches. XU was led by junior Kelly Ruth, who posted her nine double-double of the season with a match-high 22 kills and a career-high tying 24 digs.
Also for the Musketeers, senior Jenn Welsh recorded a double-double with 27 assists and 12 digs while sophomore Shannon Voors tallied a career-high 10 kills. Junior Hillary Otte collected double-digit kills (12) for XU and senior Megan Hellmann got under 14 digs on the night.
The first set was close throughout with Fordham (11-12, 1-4 A-10) finally going ahead for good at 23-22 with a kill from Kailee May. The Rams rattled off two more consecutive points to close the frame with the 25-22 win. In the second game, Fordham dominated early going up 17-9 after a 5-0 run. The Musketeers pulled to within three, 20-17, after a kill from Ruth but it wasn't enough as FU took set two, 25-19.
Behind 2-0, Xavier (12-8, 5-0 A-10) rallied in the third set and never trailed in the frame. Otte recorded half of her kills in this set and added a solo block as well. XU went up by as many as 11 a couple of times but ended up with a 10-point win, 25-15, capped off by a kill from Otte.
In the fourth set, the Musketeers controlled most of the game but the Rams came back to tie the frame at 20-all. XU had other plans as it scored four straight points to tie the match at two sets apiece with a 25-20 win.
Neither team was backing down in the deciding fifth set as there were nine tied scores and three lead changes in the game. Xavier jumped ahead 3-1 early but Fordham tied the set at 4-4. Neither team could pull ahead by more than two and XU found itself holding match point at 14-12. The Rams called for timeout and out of the break, a kill from FU's Christi Griffiths kept Fordham alive. On the next play, a Ram attack error sealed their fate as XU took the set, 15-13, and the match, 3-2.
The Rams were led by Griffiths and Jenna Hart with 14 kills each and Katherine Burrell with 17 digs. Griffiths also have seven assisted blocks in the match as well.
The Musketeers return to action Saturday night, Oct. 18, as they welcome A-10 foe Rhode Island to Cintas Center. First serve is set for 5:30 p.m. and the match is preceded by Fan Fest activities out on the plaza in front of Cintas Center beginning at 3:00 p.m.
