NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's volleyball split its two matches Friday in the Big Easy Blastoff at the Convocation Center.
     The Gold Nuggets defeated Mississippi Valley State 26-24, 25-17, 25-16 in the tournament's opening match, then lost 25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14 to Mobile in the final match of the day.
     Xavier (1-1) will play Saturday at 9 a.m. against NAIA No. 19 Wayland Baptist and 3 p.m. against Faulkner. Admission is free.
     The Gold Nuggets' Jodi Hill hit .600 with 10 kills and four aces against Mississippi Valley, and Taylor Reuther had eight kills and nine digs in her first match since 2013. The victory was Xavier's first against an NCAA Division I opponent since 2011.
     Against Mobile, freshman Ruby Hunt-Thompson had 14 kills, and CeCe Williams had 11.
     In the other matches, Wayland Baptist defeated Mobile 24-26, 26-24, 27-25, 27-25, Mobile beat Mississippi Valley 25-13, 25-13, 25-18, and Wayland Baptist defeated Faulkner 25-17, 23-25, 28-26, 25-17. Wayland Baptist, 6-0 this season, was the only unbeaten team Friday.
     In Saturday's other matches, Mississippi Valley will play Faulkner at 11 a.m., Wayland Baptist will play Loyola at 1 p.m., and Mississippi Valley will meet Loyola at 5 p.m.