University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Xavier
UMass Volleyball Falls To Xavier, 0-3
September 28, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
The Minutewomen stayed even with Xavier in game one, evening the score at 10-10. The Musketeers then went on an 8-3 run behind the power of Amanda Lang and Sara Backus who terminated 11 kills in the game. Sophomore Nitia Small (Los Angeles, Calif.) kept UMass at striking distance, recording four kills in the game but the Minutewomen were unable to overpower the Musketeers and lost game one, 24-30.
Xavier scored the first six points in game two, led by Jill Hampton with three kills in the first three plays. The Minutewomen battled back, pulling to within six at 7-13 but were unable to find their rhythm, hitting for a .000 percentage and Xavier pulled away with the 30-14 win.
UMass regrouped for game three and played even with the Musketeers, taking their first lead of the match 21-20 on a service ace by junior Jitka Stehnova (Odolena Voda, Czech Republic). The teams exchanged point for point, tying at 25-25 and 27-27 before Xavier put the match away at 30-28 on a service ace and UMass attacking error.
UMass finished the match led by Small with nine kills and seniors Lymarie Llovet (Arecibo, Puerto Rico) and Lauren Vander Veen (Oakland, Calif.) with six kills apiece. Llovet led the defensive effort with 11 digs while Small and senior Janeen DeMarte (El Paso, Texas) each added seven.
Xavier had four players score in double-digits as Backus, Kimberly Cockerel, Hampton and Amanda Yasuhara each recorded 12 kills. Lang collected 15 digs for the Musketeers while Hampton dug 10 balls.
The Minutewomen play again tomorrow night as they host Dayton at 7:00 p.m. at Curry Hicks Cage.
