CINCINNATI, Ohio – Saint Louis fell to Xavier, 3-1, Friday night at the Cintas Center. The Billikens battled back to even the match with a 26-24 win in the second set but were unable to overcome the Musketeers in the final two sets.
SET 1 | Xavier 25, SLU 20
Xavier jumped out to an early 8-2 lead before the Billikens fought back. Saint Louis used a 5-1 run to pull within one at 12-11 and later tied the set at 16-16. The Musketeers regained control late, closing the set on a 5-0 run to take a 1-0 lead.
SET 2 | SLU 26, Xavier 24
The Billikens responded with their best set of the night, overcoming an early 8-1 deficit. Saint Louis chipped away at the lead and eventually tied the set at 16-16 before taking a 20-16 advantage. Xavier rallied to even the score at 24-24, but a Tea Kalajdzic kill and an Xavier attack error gave the Billikens the 26-24 win and evened the match.
SET 3 | Xavier 25, SLU 19
The third set featured 10 ties as the teams battled throughout the early stages. Saint Louis held a 10-9 lead before Xavier used a 6-1 run to take control. The Billikens pulled within one at 17-16, but the Musketeers scored eight of the final 11 points to take a 2-1 lead.
SET 4 | Xavier 25, SLU 12
Xavier took control early in the fourth set, building an 11-1 advantage. Saint Louis was unable to close the gap as the Musketeers continued to extend their lead. The Billikens put together a late 5-0 run, but Xavier finished off the match, 25-12.
NOTABLES
- Ellie Rink led the Billikens with nine kills and added nine digs.
- Tea Kalajdzic recorded nine kills, two service aces and a block.
- Tamia Maddox finished with eight kills, 12 digs and two blocks.
- Kayla Jansen recorded seven blocks on the night.
- Lara Zigic matched her career-high 18 digs.
UP NEXT
The Billikens will face Bowling Green at 9 a.m. CT and Austin Peay at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday.
