PITTSBURGH – In the championship match of the Atlantic 10 tournament, Xavier lost a tough contest to Dayton in four games by scores of 20-30, 24-30, 30-22, and 28-30.

The first contest started out with a 4-0 Dayton run and held an advantage throughout the entire game. XU could not get any momentum going as they committed four service errors on the game and were outhit 17-12.

Both teams were even in game two as UD pounded out 15 kills and recorded two blocks compared to 13 kills and two blocks by the Musketeers. However, nine XU hitting errors and four service errors proved costly.

Xavier rebounded to start game three and took off to a 14-8 lead powered by a 4-0 run that included two Molly Martin kills. Freshman Jill Quayle also provided the presence at the net that XU needed as she recorded four kills and four blocks to send the match to a fourth game.

The Musketeers carried their momentum into game four as they jumped out to an early 7-0 lead behind two Carley Horvath kills and three Martin aces and then extended their lead to 16-7. UD put together a 10-1 run and tied the game at 19-19 before going back and forth for the rest of the game eventually pulling out the win.

The Musketeers were led by all-tournament selections Martin, Quayle, and Jordan Brightwell. Martin finished the evening with 39 assists, eight digs, and six kills. Quayle led the team with five blocks while also posting nine kills. Brightwell had a match-high 24 digs to go along with one ace.

With the loss, Xavier claimed runner-up in the A-10 tournament and is now 19-10 on the season, while Dayton stands at 21-9. XU will return to action next weekend as they travel to Gulf Shores, Alabama, to compete in the Gulf Shores challenge hosted by Auburn University. The blue and white will open play against the host Tigers on Friday night and will finish up by taking on Florida A&M on Saturday.