JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Xavier University of Louisiana stretched its volleyball win streak to a season-best three matches Saturday in a 25-19, 25-20, 25-15 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference victory against Edward Waters.
     The Gold Nuggets (5-10, 2-0) also have won 11 straight and 74 of their last 75 matches against GCAC opponents. In the regular season, XULA has won nine straight and 61 of its last 62 GCAC matches.
     XULA hit .406 in the first and third sets and finished at a season-high .298. The Gold Nuggets closed the first set with a 10-1 run and the second set with a 9-2 surge. XULA never trailed in the final set and won in three sets for the first time this season.
     Juliana Tomasoni had eight kills, 10 digs and hit .389 for XULA. Monet Fontaine had seven kills, and Hasani Salaam and Adili Rikondja had six kills apiece. Libero Amanda Perry produced a match-high 11 digs and extended to 14 her XU record of consecutive matches in double figures. The previous school mark was nine.
     Kiara Morrell had nine kills for the Lady Tigers (2-3, 0-2), and Kaylin Davison served a pair of aces. XULA limited Davison — who had 53 kills and hit .233 in her team's first four matches — to season lows of four kills and a .000 hitting percentage.
     "Playing a match after a long bus ride (Friday) can be a test of mental toughness," XULA coach Hannah Lawing said. "We weren't ourselves in the first and second set, but by set three, we found a groove and were able to make some lineup adjustments due to our lead. It felt good to win in three, but it felt even better to be able to play everyone on our roster. There were a few times when (assistant coach) Hilary (Lobenstein) and I realized there were six freshmen on the court, and we were very impressed with the confidence and discipline they displayed."
     XULA limited Edward Waters to .091 hitting and held a 43-21 advantage in kills.
     XULA never has dropped a set against Edward Waters in 13 all-time meetings. The teams will meet again Oct. 2 at XULA.
     The Gold Nuggets' next match will start at 5 p.m. Monday against GCAC opponent Philander Smith at XULA's Convocation Center.