Xavier University Athletics
Friday, September 30
Cincinnati, Ohio
7 p.m.
Xavier University
vs
Creighton
Volleyball Opens Home Schedule Against Creighton, Providence
09.28.16 | Volleyball
Musketeers take on Bluejays on Friday, Friars on Saturday
CINCINNATI – Xavier volleyball opens the home portion of its schedule on Sept. 30-Oct. 1, ending a 15-game road swing to open the season.
The Musketeers (7-8, 1-1) take on Creighton (8-6, 2-0) on Friday night at 7 p.m. before facing Providence (12-6, 0-2) on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Pediatric Cancer Match
• The Musketeers are teaming up with Go4theGoal on Friday to "Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer" to raise awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. The team will be sporting gold laces against Creighton. Fans are encouraged to wear gold or white.
• Donations will be taken on the concourse and there will be a raffle to assist in helping the team reach its $1,000 goal.
Beach Day
• The first 250 students at Friday's match vs Creighton will receive a free Musketeer tank top. The best dressed 'beach' fan will also win a prize.
Youth Day/Junior Musketeer Day
• Following the conclusion of Saturday's match against Providence, the Musketeers will host a free youth clinic for kids in grades 8 and under.
• All kids will also receive a signed team poster following the clinic.
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-8, 1-1) vs CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS (8-6, 2-0)
Match Info: Friday, Sept. 30 - 7 p.m. - Cintas Center
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1UjZhTG
Live Video: http://bit.ly/2d4Kctp
2016 Record: 8-6 (2-0 BIG EAST)
Series History: Xavier trails, 9-0
NOTABLES
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Creighton, 9-0.
• The Bluejays were tabbed to win the BIG EAST in the preseason coaches poll after capturing both the regular-season and tournament titles a year ago.
• Creighton ranks ninth nationally in toughest schedule as the Bluejays opponents have posted a .671 winning percentage. Creighton has played four nationally ranked opponents this year, including a familiar foe with Xavier in then-No. 4 Kansas.
• Creighton leads the BIG EAST in kills (14.15), while ranking second in digs (15.90) and assists (12.87).
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-8, 1-1) vs PROVIDENCE FRIARS (12-6, 0-2)
Match Info: Saturday, Oct. 1 - 4 p.m. - Cintas Center
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1UjZhTG
Live Video: http://bit.ly/2d4Kctp
2016 Record: 12-6 (0-2 BIG EAST)
Series History: Xavier leads, 5-0
NOTABLES
• Xavier leads the all-time series with Providence, 5-0.
• Providence ranks last in the BIG EAST in hitting percentage (.184), but leads the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.153). The Friars also rank 10th in assists (11.24) and kills (12.06).
• The Friars started the year with a 9-1 record before dropping five of their last eight matches. Providence is 5-3 in road matches this season.
• Senior Abbey Bessler was named to the BIG EAST Weekly honor roll on Monday afternoon for her on-court performance over the weekend. The Hebron, Ky., native totaled 25 kills and 31 digs to average 3.12 kills per set and 3.88 digs per set last weekend. The outside hitter also added a .221 hitting percentage, six blocks and three aces.
• Bessler picks up BIG EAST honors for the second time this season as she was also tabbed the conference player of the week on Aug. 29.
• Abbey Bessler has averaged 3.36 kills and 3.64 digs per set in four career matches against the Friars. She has added five blocks and three aces to go along with a .277 hitting percentage.
• In eight career matches against Creighton, senior Abbey Bessler has averaged 3.29 kills and 3.06 digs per set. Classmate Sofia Peterson has added 40 kills and 10 blocks in six matches.
• Xavier has posted 29.5 more total blocks (135-105.5) than its opponents this season. Alexis Newsome (71) and Brooke Betts (41) lead the team in blocks. All told, the Musketeers have recorded 10 or more blocks in a match four times this season.
• Xavier is also averaging two more kills (13.97-11.97) per set than its opponents. The Musketeers are posting a higher hitting percentage (.235-.205) than its foes and recording more assists (12.81-11.03) and digs (13.78-12.98).
• Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST in blocks (2.29), third in kills (13.97) and fourth in assists (12.81).
• Individually, Abbey Bessler ranks fourth in kills (3.79) and fifth in points (4.20). Alexis Newsome ranks seventh in hitting percentage (.335) and second in blocks (1.20).
KILLS
ATTACK ATTEMPTS
POINTS
DIGS
• The Musketeers were picked to finish third in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll as announced by the conference office on Aug. 3. The preseason poll and All-BIG EAST selections were voted on by the conference's 10 head coaches.
• Three Musketeers were selected to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team in Abbey Bessler, Kristen Massa and Sofia Peterson. Xavier and Creighton were the only two teams with three players each on the preseason team.
• The Musketeers posted an 18-12 overall record last year, the team's 18th straight year with a .500 or above record.
• Xavier has posted a 39-15 record in BIG EAST play since joining the conference in 2013. The Musketeers have advanced to the conference tournament in all three seasons.
• Xavier players have earned AVCA All-American honors eight times in the last 11 years. Aubree Smith earned the honors last season, while Abbey Bessler picked up the recognition in 2013.
• Xavier begins a three-game BIG EAST road swing at Marquette on Oct. 5. The Musketeers then travel to Butler (Oct. 8) and DePaul (Oct. 12).
The Musketeers (7-8, 1-1) take on Creighton (8-6, 2-0) on Friday night at 7 p.m. before facing Providence (12-6, 0-2) on Saturday at 4 p.m.
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PROMOTIONS |
Pediatric Cancer Match
• The Musketeers are teaming up with Go4theGoal on Friday to "Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer" to raise awareness for the fight against pediatric cancer. The team will be sporting gold laces against Creighton. Fans are encouraged to wear gold or white.
• Donations will be taken on the concourse and there will be a raffle to assist in helping the team reach its $1,000 goal.
Beach Day
• The first 250 students at Friday's match vs Creighton will receive a free Musketeer tank top. The best dressed 'beach' fan will also win a prize.
Youth Day/Junior Musketeer Day
• Following the conclusion of Saturday's match against Providence, the Musketeers will host a free youth clinic for kids in grades 8 and under.
• All kids will also receive a signed team poster following the clinic.
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THE MATCHUP VS CREIGHTON |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-8, 1-1) vs CREIGHTON BLUEJAYS (8-6, 2-0)
Match Info: Friday, Sept. 30 - 7 p.m. - Cintas Center
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1UjZhTG
Live Video: http://bit.ly/2d4Kctp
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ABOUT CREIGHTON |
2016 Record: 8-6 (2-0 BIG EAST)Series History: Xavier trails, 9-0
NOTABLES
• Xavier trails the all-time series with Creighton, 9-0.
• The Bluejays were tabbed to win the BIG EAST in the preseason coaches poll after capturing both the regular-season and tournament titles a year ago.
• Creighton ranks ninth nationally in toughest schedule as the Bluejays opponents have posted a .671 winning percentage. Creighton has played four nationally ranked opponents this year, including a familiar foe with Xavier in then-No. 4 Kansas.
• Creighton leads the BIG EAST in kills (14.15), while ranking second in digs (15.90) and assists (12.87).
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THE MATCHUP VS PROVIDENCE |
XAVIER MUSKETEERS (7-8, 1-1) vs PROVIDENCE FRIARS (12-6, 0-2)
Match Info: Saturday, Oct. 1 - 4 p.m. - Cintas Center
Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1UjZhTG
Live Video: http://bit.ly/2d4Kctp
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ABOUT PROVIDENCE |
2016 Record: 12-6 (0-2 BIG EAST)Series History: Xavier leads, 5-0
NOTABLES
• Xavier leads the all-time series with Providence, 5-0.
• Providence ranks last in the BIG EAST in hitting percentage (.184), but leads the conference in opponent hitting percentage (.153). The Friars also rank 10th in assists (11.24) and kills (12.06).
• The Friars started the year with a 9-1 record before dropping five of their last eight matches. Providence is 5-3 in road matches this season.
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BIG EAST HONORS: BESSLER |
• Senior Abbey Bessler was named to the BIG EAST Weekly honor roll on Monday afternoon for her on-court performance over the weekend. The Hebron, Ky., native totaled 25 kills and 31 digs to average 3.12 kills per set and 3.88 digs per set last weekend. The outside hitter also added a .221 hitting percentage, six blocks and three aces.
• Bessler picks up BIG EAST honors for the second time this season as she was also tabbed the conference player of the week on Aug. 29.
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NOTABLES |
• Abbey Bessler has averaged 3.36 kills and 3.64 digs per set in four career matches against the Friars. She has added five blocks and three aces to go along with a .277 hitting percentage.
• In eight career matches against Creighton, senior Abbey Bessler has averaged 3.29 kills and 3.06 digs per set. Classmate Sofia Peterson has added 40 kills and 10 blocks in six matches.
• Xavier has posted 29.5 more total blocks (135-105.5) than its opponents this season. Alexis Newsome (71) and Brooke Betts (41) lead the team in blocks. All told, the Musketeers have recorded 10 or more blocks in a match four times this season.
• Xavier is also averaging two more kills (13.97-11.97) per set than its opponents. The Musketeers are posting a higher hitting percentage (.235-.205) than its foes and recording more assists (12.81-11.03) and digs (13.78-12.98).
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BIG EAST RANKINGS |
• Xavier ranks second in the BIG EAST in blocks (2.29), third in kills (13.97) and fourth in assists (12.81).
• Individually, Abbey Bessler ranks fourth in kills (3.79) and fifth in points (4.20). Alexis Newsome ranks seventh in hitting percentage (.335) and second in blocks (1.20).
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CAREER RECORD WATCH: BESSLER |
KILLS
| Rank | Kills | Name | Years |
| 1. | 1,779 | Sally Schulte | 1993-96 |
| 2. | 1,598 | Sara Bachus | 1998-01 |
| 3. | 1,523 | Abbey Bessler | 2013-pres. |
ATTACK ATTEMPTS
| Rank | AA | Name | Years |
| 1. | 4,334 | Abbey Bessler | 2013-pres. |
POINTS
| Rank | Points | Name | Years |
| 1. | 1,730.5 | Abbey Bessler | 2013-pres. |
DIGS
| Rank | Points | Name | Years |
| 6. | 1,276 | Kathy Kalb | 1986-89 |
| 7. | 1,246 | Abbey Bessler | 2013-pres. |
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PRESEASON POLL |
• The Musketeers were picked to finish third in the BIG EAST Preseason Poll as announced by the conference office on Aug. 3. The preseason poll and All-BIG EAST selections were voted on by the conference's 10 head coaches.
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PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST |
• Three Musketeers were selected to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team in Abbey Bessler, Kristen Massa and Sofia Peterson. Xavier and Creighton were the only two teams with three players each on the preseason team.
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PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS |
• The Musketeers posted an 18-12 overall record last year, the team's 18th straight year with a .500 or above record.
• Xavier has posted a 39-15 record in BIG EAST play since joining the conference in 2013. The Musketeers have advanced to the conference tournament in all three seasons.
• Xavier players have earned AVCA All-American honors eight times in the last 11 years. Aubree Smith earned the honors last season, while Abbey Bessler picked up the recognition in 2013.
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UP NEXT |
• Xavier begins a three-game BIG EAST road swing at Marquette on Oct. 5. The Musketeers then travel to Butler (Oct. 8) and DePaul (Oct. 12).
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
RS/MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
RS
/ VolleyballHIGHLIGHTS | Volleyball at DePaul
Sunday, October 19
HIGHLIGHTS | Volleyball at Marquette
Saturday, October 18
HIGHLIGHTS | Volleyball vs. Providence
Saturday, October 11
Volleyball vs Providence
Saturday, October 11