Musketeers Defeat Blue Demons in Five Sets to Open BIG EAST Play

Wednesday, September 20

Cincinnati, Ohio

4 p.m.

Xavier University

6-8, 1-0BIG EAST

DePaul

6-7, 0-1BIG EAST

DePaul

Xavier

Musketeers Defeat Blue Demons in Five Sets to Open BIG EAST Play

09.20.17 | Volleyball

Box Score Season Stats (PDF)Box Score (PDF)

Junior Meredith Klare posted a match-high 28 digs; she now ranks 10th all-time at Xavier

By: Greg Lautzenheiser, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Junior Meredith Klare posted a match-high 28 digs on Wednesday afternoon, leading the Xavier volleyball team to a five-set win (16-25, 25-19, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12) over DePaul. The match was the BIG EAST opener for both squads.

Xavier won its second straigth match, improving to 6-8 (1-0 BIG EAST) on the year. The Musketeers snapped the Blue Demons four-game win streak as DePaul moved to 6-7 (0-1 BIG EAST).

NOTABLES

• Meredith Klare posted a match-high 28 digs to go along with seven assists and one ace. The junior libero now has 1,198 digs in her career to rank 10th all-time at Xavier.

• Kristen Massa recorded a team-high 12 kills to go along with 16 digs, her sixth double-double of the year. The senior outside hitter added five blocks.

• Xavier had five more blocks (14-9) than DePaul. The Musketeers have posted 10 or more blocks in eight matches this season.

• Alexis Newsome led the team with seven blocks, while adding seven kills and a .400 hitting percentage. Lauren Frilling added eight kills and four blocks.

• Morgan Finn posted a season-high nine kills. Maya Krause also chipped in nine kills.

• McKena Estes led the team in assists (23), while Nadia Dieudonne added 18 assists and nine digs.

SET ONE

• DePaul jumped out to an early 6-2 advantage and led by as many six (13-7) midway through the set. The Blue Demons never relinquished the lead as they pulled away for the 25-16 win. Morgan Finn hit .600 with three kills in the frame.

SET TWO

• The second set had seven ties and four lead changes. Tied at 16, the Musketeers closed the set on a 9-3 run capped by a Kristen Massa solo block to even the match at 1-1.

• Meredith Klare led Xavier with seven digs. Xavier also posted a 6-2 advantage in blocks.

SET THREE

• Tied at 19, Xavier closed the set on a 6-2 run capped by blocks from Lauren Frilling and Maya Krause to go ahead, 2-1, in the match. Alexis Newsome had four kills in four attempts in the set.

SET FOUR

• The fourth set had eight ties and five lead changes. Xavier led by one, 19-18, before DePaul closed the set by scoring seven of the final eight points to even the match, 2-2.

SET FIVE

• The final stanza featured nine ties and four lead changes. Xavier's defense sealed the win down the stretch as the Musketeers got blocks on the final two points of the match. Kristen Massa and Maya Krause both had three kills in the set.

UP NEXT

• The Musketeers continue BIG EAST action on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Butler. First serve is slated for 2 p.m. from Cintas Center.