Musketeers Fall in Four Sets at Villanova

Friday, October 9

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 P.M.

Xavier University

8-8, 4-2BIG EAST

Villanova

15-4, 5-1BIG EAST

Xavier

Villanova

10.09.15 | Volleyball

Box Score

Xavier returns to action on Saturday at Seton Hall

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

PHILADELPHIA – Xavier volleyball dropped a four-set match (18-25, 19-25, 25-21, 20-25) on Friday night at Villanova. The Musketeers wrap up their four-game BIG EAST road swing at Seton Hall on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Xavier falls to 8-8 (4-4 BIG EAST), while Villanova improves to 15-4 (5-1 BIG EAST).

Abbey Bessler paced the offense with 12 kills, while Kristen Massa added 11. Sofia Peterson added nine kills and Brooke Betts chipped in six with a team-high .545 hitting percentage.

McKena Estes dished out a team-high 26 assists, while Mackenzi Humm added 18 assists and six digs. Meredith Klare posted a team-high 11 digs on the night followed by Bessler and Estes who both had eight.

Set one saw had seven ties and two lead changes in the opening minutes of the frame. The Wildcats pulled away midway through the set behind a .440 hitting percentage to secure a 25-18 victory.

Villanova led 22-10 in the second stanza before the Musketeers used an 8-1 run capped by a Massa kill to get within five, 23-18. The early deficit proved costly as the Wildcats held on for the 25-19 win.

Xavier led from start to finish in set three, leading by as many as seven, 23-16, late in the frame. Villanova fought back to get within three down the stretch, but a Bessler kill sealed the victory, 25-21.

Set four saw the Musketeers lead 13-12 midway through the frame before Villanova went on a 5-2 run to take an 18-14 advantage they would never relinquish. The Wildcats won the set, 25-20.

Allie Loitz led the Wildcats with 17 kills and 12 digs. Emma Pettit added a match-high 44 assists to go with 10 digs.

Xavier ends its four-game BIG EAST road swing at Seton Hall on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.