Box Score      DEARBORN, Mich. — Xavier University of Louisiana didn't secure its first-ever victory against a ranked volleyball opponent Friday, but the Gold Nuggets concluded the UM-Dearborn Early Bird with their best-ever record through four matches.
     XULA improved to 3-1 after its second victory of Saturday and third of the tournament, 25-12, 25-22, 25-14 against Fisk.
     Freshmen Kayla Black and Anna Dalla Vecchia led the Gold Nuggets against the Lady Bulldogs (0-3). Black had nine kills, and Dalla Vecchia served four aces for the second time in three matches.
     Juliana Tomasoni had five kills and finished with 21 for the day, and Tiffany Phillips served three of XULA's eight first-set aces.
     XULA produced a 10-1 first-set run and 10-1 and 9-1 runs in the third.
     Earlier in the day, XULA defeated Lawrence Tech 25-20, 25-23, 24-26, 15-25, 15-12. On Friday the Gold Nuggets swept Trinity International, then lost in five sets to NAIA No. 24 Madonna.
     It was the 12th time that the Nuggets won twice in one day and the first time since the 2015 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
     XULA's home opener will start at 6 p.m. Tuesday against Mobile (8-0) at the Convocation Center.