Volleyball's Historic Season Ends in NCAA First Round

Friday, December 5

Pittsburgh, Pa.

4 p.m.

Xavier University

26-5,14-2Big East

Michigan

22-10,11-9Big Ten

Michigan

Xavier

Volleyball's Historic Season Ends in NCAA First Round

12.05.25 | Volleyball

Box Score

The Musketeers lost to Michigan in straight sets to end the 2025 season.

By: Abbey Curtis, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI - The Xavier volleyball team ended its historic season in the first round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament with a 3-0 loss to Michigan on Friday evening. The No. 8 seed Musketeers finish the 2025 season with a 26-5 record, good for the best winning percentage in program history (.839).

McKinley Boehm boosted Xavier's defense with two early blocks in the opening set. Michigan then went on a 4-0 run in the first frame to extend to a 13-9 lead, but Charlotte Moriarty ended that run with a kill to the deep corner. Xavier was unable to string together more than two points in the first while the Wolverines never relinquished their lead throughout the first set, taking a 25-19 win.

Michigan took advantage of another 5-0 run early in the first set to take an 8-3 advantage. After falling behind by eight points, the Musketeers bounced back with a 4-0 run of their own behind Anna Taylor's sixth kill and a Macy Hatkevich ace to make it a four-point game at 15-11. Michigan then went on a 10-4 run to take a 25-15 set two victory.

The Wolverines got off to another hot start in set three until Xavier sparked a 5-0 run to take a 12-11 lead, their first of the match. Xavier's offense ignited to hit .312 throughout the third set. Both teams traded back-and-forth points across the final 14 plays until Michigan ended the match on a kill for a 25-23 win.

Xavier set multiple program records this season including a program-best BIG EAST record and non conference record. The Musketeers' 26 wins are the most under Christy Pfeffenberger and most overall since 1993. XU went on a 13-match win streak this season, the second-longest in program history.

Emma Grace and Anna Taylor each played their final match after five years with the Musketeers and will leave their legacy behind in the record book. Grace became the third player in program history to record 1000 kills, 1000 digs and 100 aces. She accomplished all three feats this season. She becomes the ninth all-time point scorer in Xavier history with 1,291 total points. Anna Taylor also recorded her 1000th career kill this season. Both played in over 380 sets and 115 matches in their careers.

notables

Anna Taylor led the way with nine kills along with two blocks.
Margo Kemp followed up with eight kills while hitting .438.
Kelsey Niesen led the back line with 16 digs.
Emma Grace contributed six kills, seven digs and an ace.
McKinley Boehm had four kills and a team-high three blocks.
Macy Hatkevich added 28 assists, four digs, three kills and an ace.
The Musketeers were aced eight times compared to just two aces on the Wolverines.
Xavier hit a combined .170 in the match, their sixth time being held under .200 this season.
XU had five blocks compared to Michigan's four.