Volleyball Set to Face Central Michigan in First Round of NIVC

ATHENS, Ohio - Xavier volleyball begins post season play as they enter the first round of the NIVC Tournament.

Xavier has not made an appearance in post season play since 2007 when they made it to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Musketeers have never participated in the NIVC prior to this season.

Central Michigan and Xavier have only seen each other three times in 49+ years that both programs have existed.

GAME INFORMATION

ROUND 1

GAME 1: XAVIER MUSKETEERS vs CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHIPPEWAS
Thursday, Dec. 1 | 5 p.m. ET | Athens, Ohio
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=437449
Watch: https://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=c9933245-c968-4ad0-aa98-72acfc16e8ac

GAME 2: OHIO BOBCATS vs VALPARAISO BEACONS
Thursday, Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. ET | Athens, Ohio

ROUND 2

GAME 3: WINNER GAME 1 vs WINNER GAME 2
Friday, Dec. 2 | 6 p.m. ET | Athens, Ohio

ABOUT CENTRAL MICHIGAN

2022 Record: 20-11 (12-6 MAC)
2021 (Fall) Record: 13-17 (7-11 MAC)
Series History: Xavier leads 2-1
Head Coach: Mike Gawlik (5th Season)
Previous Meetings:
Sept. 7, 2013 - Xavier win 3-0
Sept. 20, 2005 - Xavier win 3-1
Sept. 6, 2003 - Xavier loss 2-3

SCHEDULE NOTES

• Xavier finished third in the BIG EAST and third in the BIG EAST Tournament.

• Xavier played 10 non-conference matches and competed in three tournaments. The Musketeers opened the season at the Buffalo Tournament on Aug. 26-27, taking victories over UAB, Cleveland State, and Buffalo. Xavier finished 2-1 in the Xavier Tournament with a loss to Virginia and wins over Eastern Michigan and Purdue Fort Wayne. The Musketeers finished 0-2 in the Louisville Tournament after facing off with Lipscomb and No. 9 Purdue.

• Xavier took down crosstown rival Cincinnati on Sept. 17 at home in the Cintas Center with a score of 3-2 (25-21, 20-25, 21-25, 37-35, 15-7).

• The Musketeers take on teams from seven different conferences during non-conference action (C-USA, HLC, MAC, ACC, ASUN, BIG TEN, and AAC).

• Xavier opened its 18-match BIG EAST schedule on Friday, Sept. 23 with a win over Villanova. The Musketeers split BIG EAST play with nine home games and nine on the road.

ABOUT THE MUSKETEERS

• After the BIG EAST preseason poll predicted an eighth place finish for the Musketeers, they finished third instead and earned the three seed to the BIG EAST Tournament where they finished third.

•The Musketeers current record sits at 19-10 (11-7 BIG EAST) after a Buffalo Tournament sweep, a 2-1 record in the Xavier Tournament, an 0-2 finish in the Louisville Tournament, victories over Miami (OH) and Cincinnati, a BIG EAST opening weekend sweep, and five losses to three ranked teams.

• Xavier posted a 11-18 (6-12 BIG EAST) record during the fall 2021 season. The Musketeers had a notable win over Providence in a three hour match. The Friars led the match 2-0 heading into the third set but the Musketeers captured the third set 28-26 and swept the final two to take the match. Xavier also swept the weekend matches against Villanova and Georgetown on the road the first weekend of October.

• The Musketeers ranked 54th in NCAA volleyball with an average of 16.17 digs per set for the 2021 season. Xavier also made the board after being ranked 65th in team digs with 1,795.

• Xavier graduated seven players and returned 10 letterwinners. The Musketeers welcomed three transfers and one freshman to the program.

UP NEXT

• The winners of the Xavier-Central Michigan game and the Ohio-Valparaiso game will see each other on Friday at 6 p.m.

Schedule

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