NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana opened its women's volleyball season at The Barn with a 25-20, 25-14, 25-16 loss to Belhaven, then a 25-18, 7-25, 25-22, 17-25, 15-13 victory against Alabama State on Saturday.
     The Gold Nuggets, competing for the first time since 2004, rallied from a 6-0 deficit in the deciding set against ASU and closed the match on senior Erin Vincent's kill.
     Xavier scored the final five points of the third set, but Alabama State scored 11 of the final 14 points in the fourth set to break a tie at 14 and extend the match.
     Belhaven defeated Alabama State 25-23, 25-21, 23-25, 25-21. All three teams opened their seasons Saturday.
     Xavier's next match will be a 6 p.m. Wednesday exhibition at The Barn against Faulkner State Community College.