Badgers prevail in three-set sweep of Gold Nuggets

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana led late in each of the first two sets, but Spring Hill rallied for a 26-24, 25-22, 25-13 non-conference volleyball victory Thursday at the Convocation Center.
     
In a matchup of conference leaders, the Badgers (9-3, NCAA Division II's SIAC) snapped the four-match win streak of the Gold Nuggets (6-11, NAIA's Gulf Coast Athletic).
     
Spring Hill overcame Xavier leads of 22-21 in the first set and 17-16 in the second.
     
Molly Griffin had 10 kills and seven digs for the Badgers. Madison Seuzeneau and Sarah Senft had nine kills apiece, and Cassidi Sterrett had 20 digs, 12 in the second set.
     
Adili Rikondja had eight kills and hit .467 for the Gold Nuggets. Monet Fontaine and Hasani Salaamhad six kills apiece, and Tiffany Phillips had 21 assists and 10 digs in her ninth double-double of the season. Amanda Perry had 21 digs and Juliana Tomasoni 15, with Perry extending to 16 her XULA record for consecutive matches with double-figure digs.
     
Perry reached 20 digs for the fourth time and the first time in a three-set match.
     
Rikondja, the reigning GCAC Attacker of the Week, hit .400 or better for the third time in the last four matches.
     
Spring Hill outhit XULA .233 to .091 and had advantages of 44-29 in kills and 4-2 in aces. The Gold Nuggets held advantages of 65-58 in digs and 9-2 in blocks. Salaam's five blocks are the most in a match by a XULA player this season, and Bria Moore had a career-best four blocks.
     
The Badgers are 18-0 all-time against the Gold Nuggets. They'll meet again Oct. 24 at Mobile, Ala.
     
XULA's next match will start at 6 p.m. next Thursday at GCAC and city rival Dillard. The next XULA home match will start at 3 p.m. Sept. 23 — one week from Friday — against Faulkner.

BOX SCORE

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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