Xavier Gold Nuggets sweep Judson on road, earn 15th victory

MARION, Alabama — Kerris Crier and Moira Kirk had six kills apiece, and Xavier University of Louisiana allowed its fewest points in nearly a year in a 25-11, 25-8, 25-11 women's volleyball victory against Judson (Ala.) on Saturday.

The Gold Nuggets (15-5) rebounded from a three-set loss Thursday at Loyola and allowed their fewest points since a 25-4, 25-8, 25-10 victory at Tougaloo on Oct. 22, 2010. Xavier also set a school record with its fourth victory of the season on opponents' courts.

Eight Xavier players had multiple kills, including Iva Bobkova, Chinedu Echebelem and Taylor Reuther with four apiece and Jeanay Butler and Alexandria Rencher with three apiece. Seven Gold Nuggets served aces, and Bobkova had all three of hers — her season best — in the second set.

Xavier finished with 33 kills and nine aces. The Gold Nuggets are 5-0 this season in matches after losses.



"We played well after a long trip here," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "I got to switch some players' positions, and they stepped up and produced. We want to be ready for anything in case we have to scratch a player late because of illness like we did Thursday against Loyola."

Xavier is 4-4 on opponents' courts after going 6-30 in the program's first three seasons. Including neutral-site matches, the Gold Nuggets are 9-4 on the road this season.

Judson (5-15) lost its seventh in a row and its 14th in 15 matches. The Eagles are 0-4 in two seasons against Xavier.

Xavier will return to Alabama next Saturday for an 11 a.m. match against Mobile. The Gold Nuggets' next home match will start at 3 p.m. Oct. 28 against Faulkner.


Box score


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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Hale will not return as XU Gold Nuggets' head volleyball coach

Al'lisa Hale

NEW ORLEANS — Al'lisa Hale will not return next season as head women's volleyball coach at Xavier University of Louisiana, Athletics Director Dennis Cousin announced Wednesday. A national search for a successor will begin immediately.

Hale coached the Gold Nuggets to an 11-26 record and third place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in 2010, her lone season at Xavier.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XU Gold Nuggets tryouts postponed

UPDATE: MAY 19, 2011 - XU volleyball tryouts postponed and will be rescheduled.

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana has postponed its women's volleyball tryouts which were scheduled for Saturday. They will be rescheduled for another date.

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NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana will conduct women's volleyball tryouts for the 2011 season on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Barn.

Participants must bring an academic transcript. The tryout is open to current XU and junior-college students and to 12th-graders graduating in 2011.

Driving directions to The Barn, Xavier's gymnasium, can be found online by using 3999 Short Street and the 70125 zip code.

Contact coach Al'lisa Hale at (504) 520-5344 or allisahale@yahoo.com for more information.

This will be the fourth season of intercollegiate volleyball at Xavier. The Gold Nuggets finished third in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference last season.

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
VISIT: XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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