Read it and sweep: Nuggets blast Dillard, set state record

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana defeated Dillard 25-6, 25-17, 25-13 Thursday at Dent Hall to set a state college volleyball record for success in conference play.

The Gold Nuggets (21-2, 12-0 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) became the first Louisiana team to win every set against regular-season conference opponents in one year. They finished 36-0 in GCAC sets. The previous state best was by LSU, which won 24-of-25 sets in the SEC in 1989 and 1990. XULA’s previous best was 36-2 in 2013.

Tiffany Phillips served seven aces — the most in a match by a XULA player in three seasons — and had 12 assists and 11 digs in her ninth double-double of the year.

“I just tried to serve tough and find the seams,” Phillips said. “That’s the way coach (Pat Kendrick) has been telling us to do it all season.”

The victory was the 11th in a row for XULA, which will have a first-round bye in next week’s GCAC Tournament at SUNO’s The Castle. The Gold Nuggets will play SUNO or Edward Waters in the semifinals at 3 p.m. Nov. 10. The championship match will start at 11 a.m. Nov. 11.