Volleyball Opens Four-Game Homestand on Friday Against Georgetown

Friday, October 16

Cincinnati, Ohio

3 P.M.

Xavier University

Georgetown

Volleyball Opens Four-Game Homestand on Friday Against Georgetown

10.15.15 | Volleyball

Musketeers, Hoyas slated to play at 3 p.m. from Cintas Center

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier volleyball returns to Cintas Center on Oct. 16 at 3 p.m. as the Musketeers take on Georgetown in BIG EAST action. Friday's match is the first of four consecutive home matches.

The Musketeers have a 9-8 overall record a 5-2 mark in BIG EAST play to rank third in the conference standings. Georgetown has lost three straight matches as the Hoyas enter the match with a 7-12 (1-5 BIG EAST) record.

The Musketeers went 1-1 last weekend, wrapping up a four-game road trip with a five-set win at Seton Hall. Xavier trailed 2-0 against the Pirates before posting the come-from-behind victory.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Friday vs Georgetown
• The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a FREE XU rally towel.

Saturday vs Creighton
•The match will serve as 'Girl Scout Day' and 'Junior Musketeer Day'.

• All Girl Scouts in attendance will receive an 'X' patch, while the first 100 kids receive a drawstring bag.
• Prior to the match, kids will have the opportunity to make posters with the Blue Blob and XU Cheerleaders.
• Following the conclusion of the match, the entire XU volleyball team will be available to sign posters for fans.
• XU students who attend the match will have receive an invitation to a pizza party with the team that will be held on Oct. 20.

WEEKLY HONOR ROLL

Junior Abbey Bessler was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the second consecutive week on Monday. The Hebron, Ky., native totaled 30 kills, averaging 3.3 kills per set, and 25 digs for an average of 2.78 digs per set, for the weekend. Bessler also posted a team-high seven service aces, while adding two blocks and two assists.

NOTABLES

• After missing four matches with an injury, sophomore Kristen Massa returned the court last weekend against Seton Hall and Villanova. The outside hitter averaged 2.67 k/s, totaling 24 kills, to go along with seven blocks – including a career-high five blocks at Seton Hall.

• The Musketeers posted 11 blocks at Seton Hall, their second most blocks in a match this season.

• Xavier had a season-high 10 service aces in the win at Seton Hall. Abbey Bessler led the team with a career-high five aces.

• The Musketeers are 4-1 at home this season, most recently defeating St. John's in five sets on Sept. 26. Abbey Bessler has paced the offense at home this season as the junior has averaged 4.79 k/s with a .303 hitting percentage.

• Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST in digs, averaging 16.48 d/s. Individually, Meredith Klare ranks fourth with 4.15 d/s.

• McKena Estes averaged 6.22 a/s last week, totaling 56 assists. The freshman setter ranks 11th in the BIG EAST in assists (5.18 a/s).

SERIES HISTORY

The Musketeers are 5-0 all-time against the Hoyas. XU won the first meeting last year in four sets in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 26 before earning a three-set victory at home on Nov. 8.

LAST TIME OUT VS THE HOYAS

• Xavier posted a .279 hitting percentage in the series a year ago, while limiting Georgetown to a .148 attack percentage. XU also had nine more blocks (18-9) than Georgetown and 10 more service aces (11-1).

• Kristen Massa averaged 3.0 k/s in the series last year, totaling 21 kills, to go along with a .500 hitting percentage. Abbey Bessler added a team-best 3.57 k/s, while averaging 4.43 d/s.

NCAA STAT RANKINGS

• In the most recent release of the NCAA statistical rankings, the Musketeers rank 34th in the nation in digs per set (16.48 d/s). The Musketeers also rank 24th in team attacks per set (37.34 a/s).

• Abbey Bessler ranks second in the BIG EAST and 45th nationally in attacks per set (11.20 a/s).

THE XU VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM

• The Musketeers posted a 19-12 overall record last year, the team's 17th straight year with a .500 or above record.

• Xavier has posted a 29-12 record in BIG EAST play since joining the conference in 2013. The Musketeers advanced to the conference tournament in both seasons.

• Xavier players have earned AVCA All-American honors eight times in the last 10 years. Aubree Smith earned the honors last season, while Abbey Bessler picked up the recognition in 2013.

RECORD WATCH: BESSLER

• Junior Abbey Bessler ranks seventh in career points at Xavier with 1,283.5. She also needs 165 more kills to enter the top-10 in career kills.

• Bessler is 78 digs away from becoming the 12th member of the 1,000 Kills-1,000 Digs Club. Sarah Brown (2010-13) was the last Xavier player to enter the club, finishing her career with 1,076 kills and 1,210 digs.

PRESEASON POLL

Xavier was selected to finish third in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll on Aug. 5 as voted on by the league's 10 head coaches. Creighton, the reigning BIG EAST Tournament and regular-season champions, was picked to win the conference as the Bluejays received 81 points and nine first-place votes.

BIG EAST PRESEASON TEAM

Abbey Bessler was one of five unanimous selections to the 12-member, non-positional preseason all-conference team. The outside hitter earned AVCA All-Regional Honorable Mention Team honors last season and was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team and All-BIG EAST Tournament Team.

Bessler ranked fifth in the BIG EAST in kills (420) last season and sixth in total points. The two-time All-BIG EAST First Team selection is one of four returning starters for the 2015 season.

FIRST-YEAR HEAD COACH

Christy Pfeffenberger was named head coach on Jan. 29, 2015 after previously serving as the team's associate head coach. All told, she has spent five seasons on the bench as an either an assistant/associate head coach or head coach.

In five years on the Xavier bench, Pfeffenberger has helped the Musketeers post an 84-57 overall record with a 48-23 mark in conference play. XU has also had 12 players earn all-conference honors and two players earn AVCA All-American recognition.

UP NEXT

Xavier continues its homestand at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 against Creighton. The Musketeers then play in-state rival Dayton on Oct. 21 before taking on Butler on Oct. 24 to end the homestand.