Xavier

Men’s basketball’s senior guard Kyle Castlin told Spectator that he has transferred to Xavier to play as a graduate transfer.

The volleyball team (2-4) came out with a roaring start at the 36th Annual University of Delaware Invitational last weekend, defeating the tournament host University of Delaware 3-1. But the Lions ended up going 1-2 on the weekend, after getting swept by Xavier and Texas A&M in their final two matches. Throughout the weekend, the Light Blue split setting duties between sophomore Taylor Voss and junior Colleen Brennan. The two setters ran the offense from the back row, with freshman Katarina Jovicic and sophomore Caitlin Brenton playing opposite hitter in the front. This strategy worked against University of Delaware, with Jovicic, Brenton, and the middle hitters combining for 13 team blocks compared to Delaware's three. The Lions were also able to limit their mistakes, with only six hitting errors in the three sets that they won. At the net, senior middle hitter Heather Braunagel led the team with nine kills and seven blocks. Sophomore Molly Winger controlled the backcourt with a team high of 14 digs. The Lions played their second match against Xavier, losing 21-25, 14-25, 19-25. In the first set, the two teams were tied at 10 before the Lions began committing errors to gift Xavier with three points. The score went back and forth, but the Lions were unable to make up the deficit and lost the first set by four points. Xavier dominated the second set with a 12-point run to make the score 20-6. The Lions were able to mount a small comeback but still ended up losing the set 14-25. The team made some lineup changes for the third set, with sophomore Michelle Snyder coming in to play outside hitter. The score was much closer, but the Light Blue was unable to find answers to Xavier hitters Sarah Brown and Kelsey Dunaway. The Lions played Texas A&M in their final match of the tournament. Despite the three-set loss, the Lions were able to keep pace with the Aggies for most of the match. In the first set, the score was tied 14-14 before Texas A&M had two small runs of four and three points, but the Lions nevertheless dropped the set 20-25. The second set was made up of streaky runs by both teams, with the Light Blue surging out to a 4-0 lead before the Aggies tied it at 7-7. Ultimately, the Lions lost the set 19-25. The Light Blue then lost the third set 15-25. Throughout the match, Winger led the team with an inspiring performance, recording 22 digs. Freshman Bailey Springer had a solid effort with six kills and eight digs. Winger was named to the All-Tournament Team for her stellar defensive performance, with 42 digs over the weekend. She was the lone representative for the Lions, joining three players from Texas A&M including MVP Alisia Kastmo, two players from Xavier, and a player from Delaware. The Light Blue will conclude their preseason with their home tournament, the Columbia Invitational, Sept. 14-15. They play a match Friday against Colgate at 7 p.m., followed by two matches on Saturday against Rhode Island at 11 a.m. and Hofstra at 7 p.m.