Musketeers Drop Four Set Match to BIG EAST Leader Creighton

Saturday, October 17

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 P.M.

Xavier University

10-9, 6-3BIG EAST

Creighton

15-7, 9-0BIG EAST

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Creighton	21	25	25	25	3
Xavier	25	18	21	21	1

Photo by: Doug Cochran

Musketeers Drop Four Set Match to BIG EAST Leader Creighton

10.17.15 | Volleyball

Box Score

Xavier moves to 6-3 in conference action

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - Xavier volleyball dropped a four-set match (25-21, 18-25, 21-25, 21-25) to league-leader Creighton on Saturday night at Cintas Center.

After capturing the opening frame, the Bluejays won three straight sets to remain undefeated in BIG EAST play at 9-0. Creighton improved to 15-7 overall, while the Musketeers dropped to 10-9 (6-3 BIG EAST).

Abbey Bessler and Sofia Peterson paced the Xavier offense with 12 kills each, while Makayla Agin added nine. McKena Estes dished out a team-high 29 assists.

Defensively, the Musketeers had one more block (8-7) than the Bluejays - led by Brooke Betts who had three. Meredith Klare recorded a match-high 16 digs, while Samantha Foti chipped in 12.

The Musketeers led 21-17 in set one before the Bluejays battled back to get within two, 23-21 and force a Xavier timeout. Back-to-back kills by Agin and Bessler ended the comeback effort as the Musketeers captured the set, 25-21. XU hit .333 in the opening frame with 17 kills.

Creighton led by as many as six, 18-12, in set two before the Musketeers battled back to get within three, 21-18, down the stretch. The Bluejays scored four consecutive points to win the set, 25-18, and even the match at one.

The Bluejays opened the third stanza on an 11-3 run and led by as many as seven, 23-17, down the stretch. XU scored five unanswered points to get with two before Creighton got back-to-back kills from Ashley Jansen and Maggie Baumert to seal the 25-21 victory.

Creighton never trailed in the fourth set and led 23-17 late in the stanza. Xavier scored three straight points capped by a Laura Grossman kill to get within three and force a Bluejays timeout. Back-to-back kills from Jaali Winters gave Creighton the set, 25-21.

Winters finished with a match-high 17 kills to go along with 11 digs. Jess Bird also had a double-double with 14 kills and 12 assists, while Baumert added a match-high 45 assists.

The Musketeers return to action on Wednesday, Oct. 21 against in-state rival Dayton. First serve is slated for 7 p.m. from Cintas Center.