CHICAGO – Senior outside hitter
Aalyssa Gunn (Orlando, Fla./Trinity Christian/Orlando Christian Prep) posted her first double-double of the season, collecting a season-high 11 digs with 10 kills, to help guide the Saint Xavier University women's volleyball team (1-11, 1-2 CCAC) to a three-set victory (26-24, 25-21, 25-21) over Indiana University South Bend on Bob Hallberg Court Thursday evening at the Shannon Center in Chicago, Ill. It was the second consecutive match that Gunn had 10 or more kills. She also added two blocks (one solo), two services aces and an assist. It was the most kills in a three-set match this season for the Cougars as they came away with 45. They also finished with their second-highest marks in aces (seven) and assists (44).
- Senior setter Abbey Opilka (Dyer, Ind./Hanover Central) paced the offense with 38 assists. She also had eight digs, a season-best three kills, and a service ace.
- Senior middle blocker Delaney Panozzo (Grant Park, Ill./Grant Park) tallied 10 kills, her second match this season with 10 or more kills, along with two blocks and two digs.
- Junior outside hitter Lauren Ahlstedt (Roselle, Ill./Harper/Lake Park) recorded double-digit kills as well, logging a season-high 10. She also added an ace.
- Freshman middle blocker Addison Hoeniges (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington Central Catholic) totaled nine kills, four digs, two solo blocks and a service ace.
- Junior libero Taylor Vann (Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness Catholic) continued her strong defensive play, coming away with a team-leading 13 digs. She also had a pair of assists.
- Junior defensive specialist Yuvia Velasquez (Burbank, Ill./Reavis) was also solid defensively, registering seven digs. She added two aces and an assist.
- Junior middle blocker Ellie Graf (Loves Park, Ill./Rockford Christian) had three blocks and two kills.
- Freshman defensive specialist Emma Smola (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew) added two assists and two digs, while senior outside hitter Kaylee Born (Plainfield, Ill./Oswego East) chipped in a dig and a kill.
Saint Xavier (1-11/1-2 CCAC) travels to Elgin, Ill. to face Judson University (Ill.) in a CCAC contest on Thursday, September 17. The match is scheduled for a 7:00 pm first serve.
