Volleyball kills crucial matches

The Xavier volleyball team avenged road losses to George Washington and Rhode Island this weekend. The Musketeers dropped a five set match to the Colonials of George Washington on Oct. 9 in Washington, D.C. On Oct. 22, they traveled to Kingston and lost to the Rhode Island Rams 3-1 in four sets.

This weekend, Xavier claimed vengeance by sweeping both the Colonials and Rams at Cintas Center. During Friday's game against George Washington, senior

Michelle Matia tallied five blocks, sophomore Sarah Brown had 16 kills and junior Stephanie Vorheer added 10 digs. The story of the night, however, was junior Ame White, who made her first career start and led the team with six blocks and also recorded 10 kills.

"Ame has always had the potential

to be a very dynamic scorer in this league. She's put in a lot of work to help make her consistent over a long period of time. She's still getting better and we're excited

for her future," head coach Mike Johnson said.

Johnson also commented on the team's depth as a strength heading into the season's last four regular season matches.

"I anticipate many others to step up late in the season. In fact, I anticipate everyone to do so," Johnson said.

On Sunday, against Rhode Island, Sarah Brown once again led the Musketeers with 15 kills and freshman Aubree Smith recorded

her second career double-double, with 35 assists and 10 digs. Brown and Smith's performances both earned them Atlantic 10 conference

honors this week.

Brown was named A-10 Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season and Smith earned A-10 Rookie of the Week for the fifth time in her freshman campaign.

The second-to-last weekend of the regular season begins with a crucial match against archrival and defending A-10 champion Dayton in Cintas Center.

The match also marks the final

home match of the season for XU. Dayton has won 15 consecutive

matches and is undefeated in A-10 play this season. Xavier was defeated 3-1 by the Flyers on Oct. 14 in Dayton, but is one of only two conference teams to win a set against the Flyers this season.

Johnson says that he doesn't get too caught up in vengeance or rivalry matches, but acknowledges that the Dayton match could have major postseason implications for the A-10 Tournament.

"This match could have huge seeding implications. Finishing first or second in the league is enormous in that those two teams earn a bye in the A-10 tournament. A win on Friday night would be monumental with that in mind," Johnson said.

Xavier (16-9 overall) is currently

tied with Saint Louis for second place in the league with an 8-3 conference record. In another crucial match that will effect tournament

seeding, the Musketeers will face the Saint Louis Billikens away on Nov. 11.