MARION, Ala. — Kia Kaufman served five of Xavier University of Louisiana's season-high 19 aces to help the Gold Nuggets overcome a sluggish start in a 25-20, 25-13, 25-16 women's volleyball victory over Judson (Ala.) on Saturday.
     The victory was the second in a row for the Gold Nuggets (2-1) and came in their first road match of the season. Judson is 2-2.
     Xavier served seven aces in each of the first two sets, and Kaufman's consecutive aces erased a 13-9 Judson lead and gave Xavier a tie at 13. But the Nuggets didn't take the lead for good until Iva Bobkova served back-to-back aces for a 21-20 advantage, and Bobkova clinched the first set with her fourth and final ace.
     Five Nuggets served at least three aces. In addition to Kaufman and Bobkova, Kerris Crier, Sierra Lyons and Celeste Poe had three apiece.
     "Our serving was aggressive and made the difference in the match," Xavier Coach Al'lisa Hale said. "But our slow start was disappointing, and our defense still needs to tighten up and generate more stops and more points."
     Erin Vincent had four kills and a block in Xavier's 15-3 run to close the second set, and Lyons had four kills to spark the Nuggets to a 13-4 lead in the final set.
     Vincent and Lyons each had nine kills — Lyons had six in the final set — and combined for a .378 percentage in 37 attacks. Xavier hit .235 for the match and .315 in the final two sets.
     Xavier's next match will start at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Barn against SUNO. It will be the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener for both teams.