MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (August 22, 2019) – St. Thomas University Volleyball (2-4) fell in straight sets to Xavier University of Louisiana (3-2), dropping the sets (15-25, 13-25, 27-25) in the first game of the STU Invitational.

Bobcat Starters: Kendall Brock, Tyran Chenault, Arianna Bolinger, Amanda Allende, Dayma Pla, Kyleigh Beechum and Dani Femat (Libero)

Game Notes

• St. Thomas opened the first set with a 4-1 deficit against Xavier University of Lousiana.
• XULA extended their lead to 10-4, with five consecutive points against the Bobcats.
• STU trailed by as many as 12 points, following a blocking error.
• The Bobcats could not shrink the deficit to less than ten, dropping the first set 15-25.
• In the second set, the first eight points went back-and-forth, as the teams sat deadlocked at 4-4.
• The Golden-nuggets rallied for three consecutive points to take a 7-4 lead.
• St. Thomas failed to gather much momentum in the second set, losing 13-25 and trailing 2-0 in sets.
• The Bobcats opened the third set with five consecutive points, as Bolinger, Allende, Femat and Brock contributed points to the rally.
• Tyran Chenault gave St. Thomas a 12-7 advantage following a kill.
• Back-to-back kills by Bolinger and Taylor Turner gave the Bobcats a late two-point advantage at 18-16.
• Three consecutive points by XULA put the Golden-nuggets ahead by two, 21-19.
• Bolinger tied the match at 22-22 with one of the sophomore's ten kills on the evening.
• Bolinger recorded two straight service aces to give STU a 25-24 advantage, with the Bobcats needing one point to take the set.
• XULA stormed back with three consecutive points to win the set and match, 27-25.

Bobcat Leaders

• Arianna Bolinger: 10 kills, five service aces
• Kyleigh Beechum: 10 assists
• Dayma Pla: 10 digs

Upcoming
St. Thomas takes on No. 4 Missouri Baptist at 9 a.m. from the Fernandez Family Center in Game two of the STU Invitational and then completes tournament play at 11 a.m. against Missouri Valley College.