NEW ORLEANS - Xavier Volleyball put on a performance for the ages in the Convocation Center Saturday, showing immense heart in a thrilling, come-from-behind win over in-city opponent Loyola.
By the time junior outside hitter Kennedy Campbell, with an assist from freshman setter Kamrynn Williams, killed the match-deciding point in the fifth set, the Gold Nuggets (5-4, 1-0 SSAC) had not only defeated a rival, but also started their inaugural Southern States Athletic Conference campaign with a valuable win.
Hidden in the final score was the fact that XULA, which won its fifth consecutive match and second of its last three against the Wolfpack, kept every set competitive.
Loyola (7-7, 0-1 SSAC) won the first set 25-20 and the second 25-23, but Xavier held the lead numerous times and was rarely more than two points behind. More importantly, the team shook off those losses to force a fourth set.
Indeed, the only time XULA trailed by more than 5 points in any set was when the Gold Nuggets showed the most character, storming from 17-10 down in the third set to win 26-24. It was a stretch Xavier capped by scoring 6 of the set's final 7 points.
The Gold Nuggets carried the momentum from the third set into the fourth, logging a comfortable 25-19 win to force the decisive final set, which Xavier won 15-12.
Newcomer Sara Marzinot, a sophomore setter and transfer from Neosho County Community College in Kansas, was a star in Set 4, holding serve for 7 consecutive points, including two service aces, to turn what had been a 16-16 tie into a 23-16 advantage for XULA.
Marzinot also assisted junior outside hitter Kamea Uitenham on the kill that gave the set to the Gold Nuggets.
Individually, numerous Gold Nuggets put up strong performances.
Campbell led the team with 28 kills, with Uitenham contributing 14 and freshman outside hitter Charlie Henderson 9.
Williams, the reigning SSAC Setter of the Week, continued her impressive 2026 season with 38 assists and 8 digs.
Redshirt sophomore Michaela Clayton was tops for XULA with 27 digs, followed by Uitenham with 13 and Henderson with 11. Henderson ended the day with 13 total points, having also struck 3 service aces.
Marzinot finished with 14 assists, 2 service aces and 5 digs.
The Gold Nuggets continue their first trek through the SSAC schedule with a pair of conference road matches next week. Xavier visits William Carey in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, at 6 p.m. Friday and Mobile at noon on Saturday.
