Ottawa (Kan.) ends Gold Nuggets’ 14-match win streak

DES MOINES, Iowa — Kaitlyn Haller’s 12 kills, 13 assists, nine digs and two blocks led Ottawa (Kan.) to a 30-28, 25-19, 25-15 women’s volleyball victory Friday against Xavier University of Louisiana in the Grand View Tournament.

The Braves (16-9) won their sixth in a row and for the 12th time in their last 13 matches. They snapped the 14-match win streak of the Gold Nuggets (15-3). Both teams received votes in this week’s NAIA coaches poll.

XULA will play twice Saturday in the 11-team tournament: at noon against William Penn and at 3 p.m. against William Woods.

XULA statistical leaders included Angela Egonu with 10 kills, two aces, two blocks and a career-high 16 digs; Taylor McGee with one block, five digs, a .320 hitting percentage and a season-high nine kills; Maya Smith with two kills and four blocks; and Charity Metcalf with 17 assists and a season-high-tying seven digs.

XULA’s best offensive player, Kennedy Wade, had five kills and a .043 hitting percentage, both season lows.

Ottawa outhit XULA .188 to .046. That was a season-low percentage for the Gold Nuggets, and their 29 attack errors were their most in a three-set match since 2010.

XULA rallied from a 21-14 deficit to produce set point in the first at 24-23.