MARIETTA, Ga. — Ave Maria used a 14-3 start Saturday as a springboard to a four-set women's volleyball victory against Xavier University of Louisiana in the Running Eagles Classic at Life University.
        The Gyrenes defeated the Gold Nuggets 25-11, 25-21, 16-25, 25-23.
        Ave Maria outhit XULA .312 to minus-.190 in the first 18 rallies, but the Gold Nuggets played much more competitively thereafter. In the second set they led 8-5 and were tied at 16, in the third they never trailed, and they led 21-17 in the fourth before Ave Maria rallied to clinch.
        XULA's Linda Mungai produced a career-best 31 digs. Freshman Sydney Murray produced her first XULA double-double: 18 kills, a match high, and 15 digs. Kennedy Wade had 14 kills and 12 digs — her third consecutive double-double to start the season — Taylor McGee produced eight kills, and Semira Blair had 25 assists and 13 digs.
        Cabriella Bouterse led Ave Maria with 14 kills, and Madelyn Haut hit .412 with nine kills and three blocks. The Gyrenes outhit the Gold Nuggets .216 to .179 overall.
        It was the first-ever meeting between the teams, both of which qualifed for NAIA nationals last season.