Saint Louis University women’s volleyball opened A-10 conference play strong with two 3-1 victories over La Salle and Duquesne in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, respectively. The wins make the Billikens 2-0 in the A-10 and extend their winning streak to 11 matches, for an overall record of 13-5. The win streak is only the fifth time a Billikens team has won 10 or more matches consecutively.
The first win came against La Salle on Friday, Sept. 25, and saw the Billikens drop the first set in a close 23-25 loss, before winning the next three 25-21, 25-12 and 25-19 to take the match. The first and third sets both had the Billikens posting .400 hitting percentages as a team, while the Billikens managed a 77% sideout percentage. Junior outside hitter Danielle Rygelski led all players in the match with 22 kills, while senior middle blocker Megan Gilbert posted an efficient offensive performance, with seven kills off 13 attempts and no errors, giving her a .538 hitting percentage. The Billikens defense proved to be a team effort, with Rygelski, junior setter Ashley Gagen and sophomore defensive specialist Mackenzie Long each chipping in nine digs.
Over the entire match, the Billikens hit .282 while holding the La Salle Explorers to a .183 hitting percentage. The complete offensive and defensive performance by the Billikens was enough to bring them to an undefeated 14-0 over the Explorers all-time.
The Billikens then traveled to Pittsburgh to take on the Duquesne Dukes on Sunday, Sept. 27. The Billikens once again dropped the first set, 20-25, before winning the next three to take the match. The first set was lost despite junior middle blocker Taylor Paulson’s four kills off seven attacks and no unforced errors. Rygelski and Gilbert led the way with four kills apiece in the second set, leading the Billikens to a 25-18 victory. SLU then repeated that score in the third set, led by Rygelski’s seven kills. Rygelski turned in another strong performance in the fourth set, with six kills, to seal the match with a 25-21 set victory for the Billikens.
Senior setter Meredith Boe tallied 43 assists to bring her season total up to 697. Meanwhile, Gilbert was strong offensively and defensively, with 12 kills on a .478 attack percentage to go along with eight blocks. The eight blocks tie SLU’s season high, also set by Gilbert, against Troy on Saturday, Sept. 12. Rygelski also added four service aces, giving her 31 on the season.
Next up for the Billikens will be conference matches versus Rhode Island on Friday, Oct. 2, and Fordham on Sunday, Oct. 4. Both matches will take place at Chaifetz Pavilion. SLU will be looking for victories in these matches to improve their conference record, before the postseason.
