Xavier University Athletics
Xavier University
Cincinnati
Volleyball Hosts Crosstown Rival Cincinnati for 513 Night
09.17.26 | Volleyball
CINCINNATI – Xavier volleyball hosts crosstown rival Cincinnati Friday, Sept. 18 with first serve set for 6 p.m.
The Musketeers come off a 3-0 weekend at home and look to continue the home winning streak. XU is 6-3 overall this season.
SEPTEMBER 18 | 6:00 PM
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Xavier Musketeers (6-3, 0-0 BIG EAST) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-3, 0-0 Big 12)
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Watch (XAVIER+)
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513 Night - $5 beers, $1 waters, $3 popcorn
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Club Volleyball Fair
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Post-match autographs
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McKinley Boehm was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the second week in a row (Sept. 7, Sept. 14) after helping lead the Musketeers to a 3-0 home opening weekend. She had 20 kills in the Xavier Tournament with a weekend high nine against Saint Louis. She hit an average of .725 to open home play. Against Austin Peay, Boehm tallied two aces and has seven on the season. The middle blocker's efforts named her to the Xavier Tournament All-Tournament team.
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Kelsey Niesen continues to lead the Musketeers on the defensive side with 159 digs this season, averaging 4.82 per set. She currently ranks second in the league and 15th nationally in digs per set. As a team, Xavier leads the conference in the category. The Cincinnati native was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll Aug. 31.
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Three Musketeers are averaging at least one block per set with Boehm leading the way with 1.26. Margo Kemp averages 1.18 and Gabby Semona is right at 1.00 block per set.
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Charlotte Moriarty has 108 kills so far this season for a team high. She is averaging 3.27 per set and hitting .182 in her junior season. Moriarty ranks fifth in the league in kills per set. She was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll Aug. 31 and to the Xavier Tournament All-Tournament team.
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As a team, the Musketeers rank third in the league in aces with 1.67 per set and 55 this season. At the Xavier Tournament, the Musketeers had 26 aces total with a season high 12 against Austin Peay.
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Cincinnati was picked to finish 12th in the Big 12 Preseason Poll. The Bearcats had one addition to the Preseason All-Big 12 team with senior Sydney Nolan.
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The Bearcats are 6-3 overall this season, most recently defeating Ball State 3-0 at home.
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Nolan leads the offensive effort for Cincinnati, tallying two 20-kill matches already this season.
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As a team, Cincinnati is hitting .280 for the third-highest hitting percentage in the Big 12.
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In the last meeting, Cincinnati defeated Xavier 3-0 on UC's campus in Sept. 2025.
Sept. 13 – McKinley Boehm – BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Sept. 7 – McKinley Boehm – BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Aug. 31 – Charlotte Moriarty, Kelsey Niesen – BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll
(first place votes)
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Creighton, 100 (10)
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Villanova, 86
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Marquette, 82 (1)
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Xavier, 75
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DePaul, 62
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Georgetown, 49
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UConn, 48
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St. John's, 36
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Butler, 34
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Providence, 20
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Seton Hall, 13
Preseason BIG EAST Volleyball Player of the Year
Abby Harrell, Sr., OH, Villanova
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team^
Elise Ward, Sr., OH, Butler
Abbey Hayes, So., OH, Creighton
Ayden Ames, Jr., MB, Creighton
Jaya Johnson, Sr., RS/MB, Creighton*
Kendall Timme, So., OH, DePaul*
Kamryn Lee-Caracci, So., MB, Georgetown
Carson Tyler, Jr., OH, Marquette
Rashanny Solano Smith, Sr., L, St. John's
Abby Harrell, Sr., OH, Villanova
Campbell McKinnon, Jr., MB, Villanova*
Macy Hatkevich, Sr., S, Xavier*
Margo Kemp, Rs-Jr., MB, Xavier
McKinley Boehm, Rs-So., MB, Xavier
*Denotes unanimous selection
^Denotes tie in voting
