Thursday night on home court, Xavier Volleyball won a competitive match versus the Pinnacle Pioneers 3-1 (25-20, 19-25, 25-21, 25-22). 

Despite losing a Conference Player of the Year (Vivian Hickman), a Conference Defensive Player of the Year (Mattea Saunders ), a First Team All-Conference Setter (Selah O'Connor) , and a solid, impactful middle blocker (Allison Dunnion) to graduation, the Gators seem to be picking up from where they left off from last year. Undefeated last year (23-0); undefeated this year through the first four games.

Of course, First Team All-Conference Hitter and two-time Conference Player of the Year, Tessa Larkin, is a critical factor to this year's success as she continues to execute kill shots that shock the crowd.  

Returning key contributors from last year, sophomore outside hitter Sahmone Wadsworth and junior middle blocker Annabelle Ross, continue to dominate net play with powerful spikes and suffocating blocks.

Larkin will be the only player Xavier loses to graduation from this year's team. Lookout, 6A conference volleyball teams, the Gators have reloaded after losing last year's "fab four" seniors. They still appear to be powerful, but now they are young.

For the fans of statistics: Thursday Night's Top Performers:
- Kills: Larkin 25, Wadsworth 10
- Blocks: Larkin and Ross 4
- Digs: Thiele 30, Wadsworth 12
- Assists: Sagiao 23, Shwer 19