Volleyball Claims Xavier Invitational Title with 3-1 Win

Box score.

CINCINNATI, Ohio --- The Eastern Michigan University volleyball team upended Xavier University, 3-1 (30-22, 30-26, 21-30. 30-23), to win the the Aussie Xavier Invitational presented by the Vernon Manor Hotel Saturday night in Cintas Center. The Eagles had two players named to the All-Tournament team, seniors Kate Sulewski and Katie Bates, to go along with senior Abby Reenders being named the Tournament MVP.

The invitational title marks the second in as many weekends, as last week the Eagles captured the championship of the Charlotte Invitational, Aug. 24-25, at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.

Four Eagles posted double figure kills including Abby and Becky Reenders with 17 kills a piece. Bates added 13 kills and freshman Lauren Boehmer posted 10. Sulewski recorded 61 assists to go along with 15 digs.

For the Musketeers, Jill Quayle posted a team-high 21 kills and had a .447 hitting percentage (21, 4, 38). Kelly Ruth had a double-double in the loss, tallying 20 kills and 20 digs. Megan Hellmann posted a team-best 21 digs while Jenn Welsh had a career-high 72 assists.

Eastern Michigan took games one and two by a total margin of 12 points (30-22, 30-26) despite Xavier's best efforts to overcome its deficits. The Eagles were able to go ahead by as many as six in the first frame and five early in the second game.

In the third game there were four ties and two lead changes as the two squads pushed the score to a 4-4 tie early in the frame. After a 6-1 Musketeer run gave XU a five point advantage the Eagles battled to keep the game close. Xavier stayed strong throughout the frame posting three total blocks and out-killing Eastern Michigan by a margin of 20 to 14. The Blue and White led by as many as nine, which would prove to be the final advantage, as Xavier took the frame, 30-21.

The Eagles were able to take the fourth game as well as the match with an outstanding performance by Becky Reenders who posted seven kills and seven digs in the frame.

The Eagles return to action Tuesday, Sept. 4, as they travel to Dayton, Ohio., to take on the Wright State Raiders The first serve is set for 7p.m. in the Nutter Center.

Aussie Xavier Invitational All-Tournament Team
Abby Reenders (MVP) - Eastern Michigan
Kate Sulewski - Eastern Michigan
Katie Bates - Eastern Michigan
Hillary Otte - Xavier
Jill Quayle - Xavier
Julie Walroth - Evansville
Laura Huculak - Delaware State

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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