MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Xavier University of Louisiana volleyball finished 3-1 in the STU Invitational after a 25-16, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16 loss Saturday to NAIA No. 4 Missouri Baptist.The Spartans (6-3) snapped the four-match win streak of the Gold Nuggets (5-3).
Kayla Black had nine kills and a season-high four aces for XULA. Taylor McGee had eight kills and hit .500, both career bests, and Ema Causevic had six kills, three aces and two blocks.
XULA's Maya Smith produced six blocks, Jennifer Torres had 10 digs, and Tiffany Phillips had 15 assists.
Giovanna Tapigliani led Missouri Baptist with 11 kills, three aces and a block. Katie Duncan had 10 kills and eight digs, Marina Sanches hit .375 with nine kills and four blocks, and Caterina Cigarini — a first-team All-America middle blocker last season — had eight kills and three blocks.
After dropping the first two sets, the Gold Nuggets extended the match with the help of six aces and five blocks in the third set. It was the first time that XULA won a set against a top-12 opponent.
Black hit minus-.027 in 37 attacks — just the second time in 67 career XULA matches and the first time on the road that she finished with a negative percentage. XULA served a season-high 13 aces but hit a season-low .103.
Missouri Baptist extended its win streak to six and finished 4-0 in this tournament.
Next for XULA will be its Big Easy Blastoff at the Convocation Center. The Gold Nuggets will play Friday at noon against Mobile and 6 p.m. against Indiana Tech. Saturday the Nuggets will play at noon against Point and 6 p.m. against Florida Memorial.
BOX SCORE
Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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