Nuggets gain first-ever season sweep of Spring Hill

MOBILE, Ala. — Kayla Black had 10 kills and 12 digs, and Xavier University of Louisiana outhit Spring Hill by nearly 200 points in a 25-19, 25-20, 25-17 volleyball victory Thursday.

The Gold Nuggets (14-2) snapped the 15-match win streak of the Badgers (16-3) and swept the regular-season series for the first time. XULA, which won in four sets at home Sept. 7, was 0-19 against Spring Hill entering the season.

“We served tough, and I thought we did a great job blocking,” XULA coach Pat Kendrick said. “We gathered ourselves and refocused quickly after making mistakes.”

Black, a freshman, hit .296 in 27 attacks and produced her fifth double-double of the season.

XULA limited Spring Hill to season lows of 26 kills and a .117 hitting percentage. The Gold Nuggets hit .297, their second-highest performance on the road this season.

It was matchup of conference leaders — XULA in the NAIA’s Gulf Coast Athletic and Spring Hill in NCAA Division II’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic. The Gold Nuggets will stay on the road and play a conference match at 1 p.m. EDT Saturday against Edward Waters at Jacksonville, Fla.