NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana won two of the three Gulf Coast Athletic Conference player awards in volleyball for Sept. 9-15. Zora Barnett is Attacker of the Week, and Taylor McGee is Defender of the Week.
     Both are freshmen.
     Barnett, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Chicago and a graduate of Oak Park River Forest High School, had zero attack errors in GCAC road victories against Philander Smith and Rust. Barnett hit .652 for the week, and her .818 against Rust tied for the third-highest in a match all-time by a XULA player. Barnett had 15 kills and three blocks in two matches.
     McGee, a 5-10 outside hitter from Sacramento, Calif., and a graduate of Inderkum High School, had 24 digs in two matches, including a match-high 19 in three sets against Philander Smith. She served a career-best five aces against Rust and closed the second and third sets with aces.
     XULA (10-4, 2-0) will play three GCAC matches during the next two days. The Gold Nuggets will visit city rival Dillard at 6 p.m. Friday (Dent Hall), then play Saturday in XULA's Convocation Center against Edward Waters at 11 a.m. and Talladega at 6 p.m.