Nov. 29, 2007

Tournament Central | Photo Gallery 

ATHENS, Ohio - The Xavier volleyball team rolled into Athens, Ohio around 12 noon Thursday and, after picking up some lunch, the team headed over to the Convocation Center on Ohio University's campus. The Musketeers hit the floor at precisely 2 p.m. and used their alotted one hour and 50 minute practice slot to prepare for tomorrow's NCAA Tournament First Round match versus 16-seeded Cal Poly. The match is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.

Xavier (24-10) is coming off a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Western Michigan at the A-10/MAC Challenge last weekend. Senior Jill Quayle earned all-tournament team honors for her efforts and she currently leads the team in kills with 449 (3.74/game) and total blocks with 157 (35 BS/122 BA).

No. 17 Cal Poly (21-7) won its second straight Big West title with a 15-1 conference mark. The Mustangs enter the NCAA Tournament with a 12-match winning streak (longest since winning 15-straight in 1981) and has captured 16 of its last 17 matches.

The Musketeers and Mustangs have previously met one time and XU holds the 1-0 advantage after picking up a 3-2 win over then-14th ranked Cal Poly in the San Francisco Invitational earlier this season. That win was the first wn over a ranked opponent for Xavier in program history.

The winner of Xavier's match with Cal Poly will go on to face the winner of Friday's second match featuring No. 19 Ohio and Purdue. The Second Round contest is set for 5:30 Saturday evening.