HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Xavier University of Louisiana erased an 8-2 first-set deficit and rolled to a 25-23, 25-19, 25-18 victory against Bethel (Tenn.) in the first of two matches at William Carey's Ben Waddle Sports Facility.
     The Gold Nuggets (23-5) have won four straight and 15 of their last 16 matches. They'll play William Carey at 5 p.m. Saturday.
     Kayla Black had 10 kills, Ema Causevic seven, Bria Mayes six and Maya Smith five for XULA, which outhit Bethel .206 to .084. Smith had three blocks, Jennifer Torres had 16 digs, and Eva Le Guillou had 18 assists. Smith hit .500, and Mayes hit .417.
     XULA ended the five-match win streak of Bethel (15-10). Ariely de Souza had 17 kills and Hannah McGowan 22 for the Lady Wildcats. It was the first-ever volleyball meeting of these schools.
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