Massa’s Career Night Not Enough as Musketeers Fall in Five Sets at Ohio

Friday, September 4

Athens, Ohio

7:30 P.M.

Xavier University

2-3

Ohio

5-1

Xavier

Ohio

Massa’s Career Night Not Enough as Musketeers Fall in Five Sets at Ohio

09.04.15 | Volleyball

Box Score

Sophomore outside hitter posted a career-high 17 kills on Saturday night

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

ATHENS, Ohio - Sophomore outside hitter Kristen Massa posted a career-high 17 kills on Saturday night, but it wasn't enough as the Musketeers fell in five sets (26-24, 25-19, 18-25, 25-27, 6-15) at Ohio. Xavier moved to 2-3 on the year, while the Bobcats improved to 5-1 on the year.

Following a 3-1 loss to Michigan on Friday morning at the Bobcat Invitational, the Musketeers responded by capturing the first two sets against the host Bobcats. Ohio rallied from the two-set deficit to win its second home match of the day.

Abbey Bessler was the only other Musketeer in double-figure kills with 17. She also added 22 digs to post her second double-double in as many matches.

Setters McKena Estes and Mackenzi Humm each had 22 assists, while Sofia Peterson added eight kills. Neither team posted a strong hitting percentage as the Bobcats hit .163, while the Musketeers recorded a .114 hitting percentage.

The opening set saw five ties and four lead changes. Tied at 24-24, the Musketeers captured the set following a kill by Massa and a Bobcat attacking error.

Massa hit .571 in the second set with four kills as the Musketeers took advantage of 12 Bobcat errors to win the frame, 25-19. Ohio and Xavier exchanged leads six times in the third set before the Bobcats pulled away for a 25-18 victory.

The fourth set saw the two squads go into extra points for the second time in the contest as Ohio edged Xavier, 27-25. All told, the stanza had nine ties and seven lead changes.

The Bobcats recorded their highest hitting percentage (.273) in the final set to pull off the come-from-behind victory. Ohio won the final frame, 15-6, and was powered by four kills from Jaime Kosiorek.

Kosiorek was one of three Ohio players with double-figure kills, posting a match-high 20 kills to go along with 14 digs. Abby Gilleland had a match-high 53 assists, while Meredith Ashy recoded a match-high 43 digs.

Xavier closes Bobcat Invitational action on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m. against LSU.