CHICAGO – Sophomore middle blocker
Carrington Smith (Flossmoor, Ill./Marian Catholic) had another stellar performance, posting 10 kills on a .529 attack percentage (10-1-17), her second straight match with 10 kills and an attack percentage above .500, adding two digs, a block and a service ace as the Saint Xavier University women's volleyball team (16-9, 14-4 CCAC) wrapped up the regular season with a three-set victory (25-15, 25-11, 26-24) in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) contest over Judson University (Ill.) Thursday evening on Bob Hallberg Court at the Shannon Center in Chicago, Ill. It was the third time in the last four matches that Smith has had 10 or more kills, and it was her ninth match with 10 or more kills on the season. With the win, the Cougars secure a home match in the quarterfinals of the CCAC Tournament that begins on Tuesday, November 11.
- Senior middle blocker Nicole Grochola (Burbank, Ill./Reavis) also played well, coming away with nine kills on a .286 attack percentage (9-3-21), a block and a dig.
- Fifth year senior libero Avanna Martinez (Coamo, Puerto Rico/Colegio Ponceno) continued her impressive defensive play, collecting a match-best 26 digs with an ace. It was her 14th match in 2025 with 20 or more digs.
- Senior setter Samantha Hovey (Mackinaw, Ill./Heartland/Dee-Mack) handed out a match-leading 24 assists, along with seven digs, four kills and a block.
- Senior outside hitter Tara Glynn (Oak Lawn, Ill./Richards) recorded seven kills, three digs and a block.
- Junior setter Abbey Opilka (Dyer, Ind./Hanover Central) tallied 13 assists, four digs and a pair of service aces.
- Redshirt sophomore middle blocker Delaney Panozzo (Grant Park, Ill./Grant Park) did a little bit of everything with six kills, three digs, two solo blocks and an assist.
- Graduate student defensive specialist Katie DeHaan (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) finished with eight digs.
- Senior outside hitter Jenny Jensen (Orland Park, Ill./Cardinal Stritch/Sandburg) logged four kills and a solo block.
- Sophomore libero/defensive specialist Taylor Vann (Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness Catholic) had four digs and a match-high three aces.
Saint Xavier (16-9/14-4 CCAC) begins postseason play with the start of the CCAC Tournament at the Shannon Center on Tuesday, November 11. Time and opponent are to be determined.
