Xavier Louisiana Tops Paul Quinn in Straight Sets
Dallas, Texas – October 26, 2024 On Saturday afternoon in Dallas, the Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) volleyball team continued their impressive season by defeating Paul Quinn College in straight sets (27-25, 25-19, 25-23). The victory moved XULA to 13-13 overall and 10-2 in conference play, while Paul Quinn slipped to 12-11 (5-7).
Impressive Performance from XULA
XULA demonstrated a well-rounded team performance offensively and defensively, finishing the match with a .305 hitting percentage. Senior Kennedy Campbell led the offensive charge, recording 18 kills on 34 attempts with only one error, giving her an outstanding .500 hitting percentage. Campbell's performance netted her 20 points, the highest in the match.
Supporting Campbell was Taylor Parker, who contributed 11 kills and three block assists, bringing her total points to 13. Setter Bengisu Kazazlar orchestrated the XULA offense masterfully, dishing out 46 assists and adding a service ace. Kamea Uitenham and Kennedi Bell also played critical roles, combining for 13 kills and five block assists.
Paul Quinn's Efforts Fall Short
Paul Quinn fought hard, with standout performances from Carrie Weston and Laila Beck. Weston notched 14 kills with a .300 hitting percentage, while Beck contributed 10 kills and led the team in blocking with a solo block and three block assists. Brooklyn Sanders also impressed with eight kills and a .389 hitting percentage, but the Tigers could not match Xavier's consistent offensive output.
Spirit Phipps was a bright spot as the Tigers' setter, collecting 21 assists. However, Paul Quinn struggled with consistency, hitting just .205 as a team and committing 17 attacking errors. Despite strong defensive prowess with 53 total digs, led by libero A'Niyah Harrison's 11, the Tigers couldn't sustain their rallies.
Set-by-Set Recap
The opening set was a back-and-forth affair, with XULA narrowly escaping with a 27-25 win. Xavier capitalized on a few key errors by Paul Quinn while spreading the ball effectively to multiple hitters.
XULA's offense clicked in the second set with a .355 hitting percentage. Campbell continued to lead the attack, while solid defensive play helped the Gold Nuggets secure a 25-19 win.
Paul Quinn came out strong in the third set, leading early, but Xavier's composure and late-set rallies saw them clinch the match with a 25-23 victory. The third set showcased both teams' competitive spirit, with Paul Quinn improving to a match-best .316 hitting percentage.