Xavier University Athletics
Illini Classic Highlights: Volleyball Opens Season with 2-1 Record
08.29.16 | Volleyball
Xavier posts wins over Missouri State, Arkansas
CINCINNATI - Xavier volleyball opened the 2016 season by posting a 2-1 record at the Illini Classic on Aug. 27-28 in Champaign, Ill. The two-day tournament was held at Huff Hall.
The Musketeers opened the tournament with a five-set win over 2015 NCAA Tournament participant, Missouri State. Xavier trailed 2-0 before batting back to win the match in five sets.
On Saturday, Xavier took the first set against No. 14 Illinois in the first of two matches during tournament play before the Fighting Illino responded by winning the match in four sets. The Musketeers ended tournament action with a 3-1 win over Arkansas.
• The Musketeers hit .329 in the win over Arkansas, posting their highest hitting percentage since defeating Georgetown on Oct. 16, 2015 (.477 hitting percentage). All told, Xavier finished the weekend with a .264 hitting percentage.
• Sophomore Meredith Klare totaled a team-high 52 digs last weekend, averaging 4.00 digs per set. The libero posted the match high in digs in all three matches.
• Alexis Newsome hit .528 on the week, while adding 31 kills. After one week of play, her hitting percentage ranks 15th nationally. The middle blocker also led the team in blocks as she averaged 0.85 blocks per set.
• Sofia Peterson recorded a career-high 17 kills in the five-set win over Missouri State. The senior hit .244 over the weekend with 31 total kills. She also added nine blocks.
• Mackenzi Humm led the team in assists, averaging 6.15 assists per set. Fellow setter McKena Estes added 5.15 assists per set.
• Xavier moved to 22-12 in season openers - dating back to the 1981 season - with the win over Missouri State. The Musketeers have now won five of their last six season openers, including three in a row.
• Abbey Bessler was named to the Illini Classic All-Tournament Team after posting 4.38 kills and 2.69 digs per set. The outside hitter had a double-double in all three matches, increasing her career total to 55.
• The reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year posted a .442 hitting percentage with 22 kills in the Musketeers' tournament finale against Arkansas. She has posted 20 or more kills in a match 19 times during her career.
• Abbey Bessler was also named the BIG EAST Player of the Week on Monday, earning the award for the third time in her career.
• Sophomore Alexis Newsome recorded a career-high 15 kills with no errors in 19 attempts at No. 14 Illinois. The middle blocker posted a .789 hitting percentage that would have established a new school record, but she fell one attempt short of the statistical minimum.
• After one week of play, the Musketeers rank 12th nationally in team assists (175) and team kills (188). Xavier also ranks 28th in kills per set (14.46 k/s) and 30th in assists per set (13.46).
• The Musketeers return to action on Sept. 2-3 at the Dayton Invitational. Xavier opens tournament play against the rival Flyers on Friday at 7 p.m.
The Musketeers opened the tournament with a five-set win over 2015 NCAA Tournament participant, Missouri State. Xavier trailed 2-0 before batting back to win the match in five sets.
On Saturday, Xavier took the first set against No. 14 Illinois in the first of two matches during tournament play before the Fighting Illino responded by winning the match in four sets. The Musketeers ended tournament action with a 3-1 win over Arkansas.
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TOURNAMENT RESULTS |
| Date | Opponent | Score |
| Aug. 26 | vs Missouri State | W, 3-2 |
| Aug. 27 | at No. 14 Illinois | L, 3-1 |
| Aug. 27 | vs Arkansas | W, 3-1 |
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TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS |
• The Musketeers hit .329 in the win over Arkansas, posting their highest hitting percentage since defeating Georgetown on Oct. 16, 2015 (.477 hitting percentage). All told, Xavier finished the weekend with a .264 hitting percentage.
• Sophomore Meredith Klare totaled a team-high 52 digs last weekend, averaging 4.00 digs per set. The libero posted the match high in digs in all three matches.
• Alexis Newsome hit .528 on the week, while adding 31 kills. After one week of play, her hitting percentage ranks 15th nationally. The middle blocker also led the team in blocks as she averaged 0.85 blocks per set.
• Sofia Peterson recorded a career-high 17 kills in the five-set win over Missouri State. The senior hit .244 over the weekend with 31 total kills. She also added nine blocks.
• Mackenzi Humm led the team in assists, averaging 6.15 assists per set. Fellow setter McKena Estes added 5.15 assists per set.
• Xavier moved to 22-12 in season openers - dating back to the 1981 season - with the win over Missouri State. The Musketeers have now won five of their last six season openers, including three in a row.
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BESSLER AWARDS |
• Abbey Bessler was named to the Illini Classic All-Tournament Team after posting 4.38 kills and 2.69 digs per set. The outside hitter had a double-double in all three matches, increasing her career total to 55.
• The reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year posted a .442 hitting percentage with 22 kills in the Musketeers' tournament finale against Arkansas. She has posted 20 or more kills in a match 19 times during her career.
• Abbey Bessler was also named the BIG EAST Player of the Week on Monday, earning the award for the third time in her career.
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NEWSOME'S CAREER OUTING |
• Sophomore Alexis Newsome recorded a career-high 15 kills with no errors in 19 attempts at No. 14 Illinois. The middle blocker posted a .789 hitting percentage that would have established a new school record, but she fell one attempt short of the statistical minimum.
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NCAA STATS |
• After one week of play, the Musketeers rank 12th nationally in team assists (175) and team kills (188). Xavier also ranks 28th in kills per set (14.46 k/s) and 30th in assists per set (13.46).
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UP NEXT |
• The Musketeers return to action on Sept. 2-3 at the Dayton Invitational. Xavier opens tournament play against the rival Flyers on Friday at 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
S
/ Volleyball
Libero
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
RS
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