LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Xavier University of Louisiana's women's volleyball team defeated SUNO 25-16, 30-28, 23-25, 25-18 Friday to advance to the championship round of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the second consecutive year.
        The Gold Nuggets (21-7), 3-0 in the tournament and the only unbeaten team in the double-elimination event, will play SUNO or Tougaloo for the title after those teams play a 10 a.m. elimination match. If Xavier loses, it would play its noon opponent again at 2 p.m.
        Xavier defeated SUNO in three sets in the title match a year ago.
        Xavier scored eight consecutive points to take an 18-11 lead in the first set. The Nuggets won the second set after saving three set points and took the lead for good in the fourth set at 8-7.
        "That was a well-played match by both teams," XU coach Christabell Hamilton said. "SUNO was a great opponent, and our young team was challenged in so many ways, mentally and physically. However, I'm so proud at how they stayed together and played as a team. Now we need to rest and get ready for tomorrow.
        "Moira Kirk made some key plays for us defensively that put us in good situations. Chinedu Echebelem, though she was bothered by a knee injury, played phenomenally. CeCe Williams, Patrice Smith, and Darian Harris stepped up and were tremendous. Taylor Reuther was solid for us in every aspect. Jodi Chatters was awesome as our libero. Franziska Pirkl, our setter, also did a great job playing hard through all four sets."
        Xavier has won 27 consecutive matches, seven in the tournament, against GCAC opponents since the start of the 2011 season. It was the Nuggets' third victory this season against SUNO (23-11), a city rival.
        The Nuggets have won five in a row, 8-of-9 and 16 of their last 19 matches. They are 15-4 on the road this season.