University of Louisville
vs. Xavier<BR>(C-USA/Atlantic 10 Challenge)
Volleyball Sweeps Xavier at C-USA/A-10 Challenge
November 29, 2002 | Women's Volleyball
Nov. 29, 2002
DAYTON, Ohio -- Freshman Lena Ustymenko had a match-high 16 kills and three aces to lead the University of Louisville to a 30-16, 30-18, 30-20 win over Xavier in the first match of the Atlantic 10/Conference USA Volleyball Challenge Friday night.
U of L, ranked 11th in the RPIs, improves to 26-5. The Cardinals have won 17 of their last 19 matches and await an at-large NCAA bid Sunday evening. Xavier falls to 16-15.
"We had to play two very tough opponents in our last two matches of the Conference tournament," said Leonid Yelin, U of L head coach. "We were able to maintain that championship mentality. "
U of L used hot hitting, blocking and aggressive serving to keep Xavier on the defensive. U of L outblocked the Musketeers 9-5 and had six aces to XU's none. The Cardinals hit .306 for the match to Xavier's .078.
In the first game, U of L went on a 13-2 run to establish a 19-9 lead on a block xolo by Anastasia Zaitseva. U of L gradually built the lead to as many as 13 for the 30-16 win.The Cardinals had four aces and outhit the Musketeers .484 to .147. Freshman Lena Ustymenko had a team high five kills and two aces to lead the Cardinals.
In the second game, Louisville started strongly to take a 19-9 lead on two straight service errors by Xavier. The Musketeers could get no closer than eight after that point. U of L continued its hot hitting had with 18 kills on 31 attacks on only five kills.
In the final set, U of L used a 13-4 run to finish the match.
"It didn't look like Lena (Ustymenko) was having much trouble with her broken wrist." said Yelin. "Our freshman setter. Jennifer Craven, is playing with a broken thumb but gutting it out. This is a credit to their mental toughness."
Craven ended the match with 43 assists, four kills and eight digs. Zaitseva had eight kills on 16 attacks and no errors. Libero Sarah Drury had 12 digs.
The Musketeers were led by Laci Hasenour's nine kills. Jordan Brightwell of Assumption had a team-high 10 digs for XU.
Louisville plays Dayton Saturday at 4 p.m. in Frericks Center.
