Bessler Hits Career Milestone in BIG EAST Opening Win at Marquette

Wednesday, September 23

Milwaukee, Wis.

8 P.M.

Xavier University

5-6, 1-0

Marquette

8-5, 0-1

Xavier

Marquette

Bessler Hits Career Milestone in BIG EAST Opening Win at Marquette

09.23.15 | Volleyball

Box Score

Junior outside hitter recorded her 1,000th career kill on Wednesday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

MILWAUKEE - Junior Abbey Bessler posted her 1,000th career kill on Wednesday night as the Xavier volleyball team picked up a 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-19) BIG EAST opening win at Marquette. The Musketeers have now won six straight conference openers, including three consecutive BIG EAST openers.

Xavier handed Marquette only its second regular-season conference home loss since the 2011 season in the win. The Musketeers improve to 5-6 (1-0 BIG EAST) on the year, while the Golden Eagles fall to 8-5 (0-1 BIG EAST).

"The team has been working hard in the practice gym all season," said head coach Christy Pfeffenberger. "We have seen small signs of us playing at a higher level, but tonight is the first time the team put it all together consistently.

"I couldn't be more proud of the players and staff for making that turn tonight."

Bessler paced the offense with a match-high 16 kills, while adding 11 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Kristen Massa added 12 kills in the win.

McKena Estes recorded a team-high 12 digs to go along with 21 assists for her second double-double of the year. Meredith Klare chipped in 11 digs, while Mackenzi Humm had a match-high 23 assists.

The first set saw 10 ties and six lead changes as both squads hit over .400 in the opening frame. The two squads were tied at 22 before XU ended the set on a 3-1 run capped by a Sofia Peterson kill to win the stanza, 25-23.

The Musketeers led from start to finish in set two and led by as many as 11 points late in the set before capturing the frame, 25-16.

The third set had two ties and two lead changes in the opening minutes of play. XU led 20-12 late in the set before sealing the victory, 25-19, on a Bessler kill.

Joy Miley led the Marquette offense with 10 kills, while Taylor Louis - the NCAA leader in kills per set - was held to nine kills. Sara Blasier added 22 assists in the loss.

The Musketeers open a two-game homestand on Friday, Sept. 25 against Providence at 7 p.m.

NOTES: Xavier moves to 6-9 all-time against Marquette… the win snapped a five-game skid in the series history for XU and gave the Musketeers their first win over the Golden Eagles since Nov. 16, 1990… the win also marked the first BIG EAST victory for first-year head coach Christy Pfeffenberger... the 12 kills by Kristen Massa marked her third straight match with double-figure kills… Massa has had double-figure kills in eight matches this season.