Nuggets win at Loyola in four sets on Halloween evening

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana concluded an unbeaten month with a 25-16, 19-25, 25-18, 25-13 volleyball victory on Halloween against city rival Loyola at The Den.

The Gold Nuggets, 9-0 in October, won their 10th in a row and completed a two-match season sweep of the Wolf Pack (14-17). Senior Juliana Tomasoni had 13 kills, a .355 hitting percentage, three aces and 20 digs. All four totals were XULA highs, and all but the hitting percentage were match highs.

The double-double was Tomasoni’s 13th of the year and 27th in two seasons. Recording her sixth double-double was freshman teammate Kayla Black, who had 12 kills and 10 digs. Freshman Vivica Price-Spraggins had 10 kills — she reached double figures for the fourth time this season — hit .348 and had three blocks.

XULA outhit Loyola .192 to .112 and had advantages of 50-40 in kills and 9-3 in aces. In the sets XULA won, it outhit Loyola .229 to .036.

Allison Hartmann had eight kills, two blocks and hit .389 for the Wolf Pack.

XULA will close the regular season in a 6 p.m. Thursday Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match at city rival Dillard. SUNO will be the site of the GCAC Tournament Nov. 10-11, and the Gold Nuggets will be the No. 1 seed for the seventh straight year.