BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Xavier University of Louisiana produced its first-ever victory against a top-25 volleyball opponent — a 25-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-19 decision against NAIA No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan in the Mid-South Crossover Challenge.
     Prior to Saturday, the Gold Nuggets were 0-14 against ranked teams, including a four-set loss Friday to Georgetown (Ky.)
     Sophomore Kayla Black had 21 kills, 14 digs, two aces and hit .400 for XULA, which finished 3-1 in this season-opening tournament. Jordan Johnson and Marine Angely had seven kills apiece, and Eva Le Guillou produced a career-high 47 assists.
     Black served both her aces during a 6-0 run that gave the Nuggets a 23-18 fourth-set lead. Black's first ace put the Nuggets ahead to stay at 19-18. An Angely kill made it 24-19, and a ball-handling error ended the match.
     "We were better Friday than we were in our scrimmages last weekend, and we were better today than we were Friday," Black said. "I see a lot of good things in our future."
     Kelly Miller had 17 kills and hit .317 for Indiana Wesleyan (0-4), and her sister, Marci, had 11 kills. XULA outhit the Warriors .270 to .232 and had a 54-41 advantage in digs.
     XULA's other Saturday victory was 25-19, 25-12, 25-19 against Pikeville — the Bears' first loss in four matches this season.
     XULA will open its home schedule Friday with two matches in the Big Easy Blastoff at its Convocation Center.

Mid-South Crossover Challenge Standings
4-0 Georgetown (Ky.)
4-0 IU Southeast
4-0 Lindsey Wilson
3-1 XULA
3-1 Brescia
3-1 Campbellsville
3-1 Shawnee State
2-2 Pikeville
2-2 Point
2-2 Texas Wesleyan
1-3 Cumberland
1-3 Cumberlands
1-3 Life
1-3 Reinhardt
0-4 Indiana Wesleyan
0-4 Martin Methodist
0-4 Union (Ky.)