Bourbonnais, Ill. – Senior middle blocker
Courtney Hunter (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais) established a new career-high in kills with 21 on an impressive .471 attack percentage (21-5-34), however the Saint Xavier University women's volleyball team (11-14, 8-6 CCAC) lost to Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) in five sets (19-25, 25-18, 25-23, 14-25, 11-15) in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) contest Thursday evening in Bourbonnais, Ill. Hunter added six digs, four blocks and two service aces in the regular season finale for the Cougars. She bested her previous high of 18 kills set last season vs. Cornerstone University (Mich.) in pool play at the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship Tournament on December 1, 2022.
- Junior outside hitter Connie LeBel (Crestwood, Ill./DePaul/Ferris State/Mother McAuley) also finished with 21 kills, along with 11 digs for her seventh double-double of the year. She also had two assists, an ace and a block. It was the fifth time this season that LeBel has had 20 or more kills in a match.
- Junior setter Kaleigh Ritter (Tinley Park, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) recorded 44 assists and 15 digs for her fourth straight double-double, her 11th of the year, and a pair of kills. It was the sixth time this season that she has handed out 40 or more assists in a match.
- Sophomore defensive specialist Ariel Hoskin (Woodridge, Ill./Downers Grove South) tied her career-high with 21 assists to lead the SXU defense. She added three assists and a service ace. Hoskin also had 21 digs earlier this season vs. Lourdes University (Ohio) on September 2.
- Sophomore defensive specialist Katie DeHaan (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) was the fourth Cougar to tally ten or more digs, coming away with 11. It was the sixth time this year that she has had 10 or more digs in a match. DeHaan added three service aces and an assist.
- Sophomore middle blocker Nicole Grochola (Burbank, Ill./Reavis) collected six kills, two assists, a block and a dig.
- Sophomore outside hitter Jenny Jensen (Orland Park, Ill./Cardinal Stritch/Sandburg) had five kills, two blocks and a pair of digs.
- Freshman setter Abbey Opilka (Dyer, Ind./Hanover Central) registered six digs and four assists, while sophomore outside hitter Tara Glynn (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards) chipped in three kills, a dig and a block.
Saint Xavier (11-14/8-6 CCAC) prepares for the CCAC Tournament that begins on Tuesday, November 7. Opponent, time and location will be announced at a later date.
