Oct. 22, 2006

Box Score

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - In a battle for second place in the Atlantic 10 West Division, Xavier fell to host Saint Louis in four games on Sunday afternoon. The Musketeers fell to the Billikens by scores of 30-25, 26-30, 26-30 and 21-30. With the loss, XU falls to 14-10 on the season and sit at 7-2 in conference action, while SLU improves to 15-7 and 8-1 in A-10 play.

After both teams played even for the first 10 points of the first game, Xavier used a six-point run powered by two blocks by Kelly Ruth and Jill Quayle to take the lead 11-5. The Billikens would answer with a five-point spurt of their own to cut the XU lead to 18-17 but a kill by Quayle ended the run by SLU. Saint Louis would continue to fight and eventually would knot the score at 23-23 before two kills by Danielle Skrajewski and two aces by Jenn Welsh put the game in favor of the Musketeers for good. Seniors Astyn Bjorklund and Skrajewski each finished with six kills in the game, while Ruth added six digs and three block assists.

Xavier took the early lead in game two but SLU would hang close and finally tie the score at 16-16. The Billikens would then grab the lead for good on the next point and rattle off the next six to put the game out of reach and even the match at one game apiece. Quayle led the way in the game with six kills and Lauren Kaminsky had four digs.

Game three held true to the first two games as each team gained the lead and gave it back. With the score tied at 15-15, both teams continued to swap points until the game was tied at 22-22. SLU would score the next two points and it would be all the Billikens would need as they score eight of the last 12 points to take the game. The two teams combined for nine ties and nine lead changes in the game.

Saint Louis jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead to start game four but the Musketeers answered to close within one at 12-11. Xavier would stay close and get within three at 22-19 but a quick five-point spurt by SLU would be all the Billikens would need to take the game and the match.

In the three games the Musketeers lost, XU allowed the Billikens to hit over .300 on the game with two 20-plus kills games. Xavier would record 26 hitting errors in the match and could not overcome 12 total team blocks by Saint Louis.

Skrajewski led the Musketeers with a match-high 21 kills on the afternoon. She also added six digs and ended with a .318 hitting percentage. Quayle finished with 15 kills and a .400 hitting percentage, while Bjorklund ended the match with 12 kills. Ruth led the defensive efforts with a team-high 13 digs and four block assists. Classmate Kaminsky tallied 12 digs, while Welsh recorded 11 digs to go along with four kills and 56 assists.

The Musketeers will return to the court again on next Thursday as XU will welcome rival Dayton to Cintas Center for a crucial A-10 matchup. Xavier has not defeated the Flyers since the 2003 season and will need to break through to stay alive in the A-10 West Division standings.

The match is also Xavier's "Dig for the Cure" match where each dig by the team will be tallied to determine the total amount of pledges received by the players and coaching staff. To find out how you can help support this great cause, contact the Xavier volleyball office at 513-745-3414.

Fans don't forget the Xavier volleyball team will be at Cold Stone Creamery at Newport on the Levee on Wednesday night, October 25, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The team will volunteer to help raise money for breast cancer research and all proceeds will benefit the local chapter of the Susan B. Cowen Foundation.