Xavier's Kirk, Reuther experience the kills of victory
October 7, 2011

Box score

     NEW ORLEANS — Moira Kirk and Taylor Reuther produced 12 kills apiece Friday to help Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeat Tougaloo 25-17, 25-9, 25-11 and remain perfect in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.
     The Gold Nuggets (13-4, 7-0) earned their second victory of the day at Dillard's Dent Hall and maintained their one-match lead in the GCAC over SUNO.
     "After a loss last night (against Prairie View A&M) we set our goals to correct our mistakes," Xavier coach Christabell Hamilton said. "Today was a new day and a fresh attitude. And it's totally different when we play in conference."
     It was the second time this season that Kirk and Reuther, both freshmen, reached 12 kills in the same match. Reuther had eight first-set kills and started a pair of 5-0 runs with kills. The three-time GCAC Player of the Week hit 400 in 25 attempts and had seven digs and three aces. Kirk hit .381 in 21 attempts — she ended the second set with a kill — and added four digs and two blocks.
     Jeanay Butler had a season-high-tying four aces for Xavier for the second straight match, and Kerris Crier had her first four of the season — all in a row to give the Nuggets a 21-9 lead in the third. Xavier served 15 aces and finished the day with 33.
     Tougaloo's only lead of the 51-minute contest came when Dayane Souza opened the third set with her team's lone ace. The Nuggets responded with a 10-1 run which included two aces and a kill by Butler and two kills by Kirk.
     Xavier hit .267 and got a team-high 12 digs — eight in the first set 7#8212; from Chinedu Echebelem. Celeste Poe had seven digs and Joyy Joseph five.
     "Our goal was to go 3-0 this weekend. So far so good," Hamilton said. "It was a very good momentum shift compared to last night. Hopefully we'll finish strongly on Saturday."
     Xavier will play Edward Waters at 10 a.m. Saturday at Dent Hall. The Nuggets defeated the Lady Tigers 25-12, 25-12, 25-10 on Sept. 23.