CINCINNATI – The Xavier volleyball team fell to Atlantic 10 Regular Season Champion Temple on Friday in the first semifinal match of the 2002 A-10 Volleyball Championships at the Cintas Center.

Xavier, now 16-14 overall, was looking to become the first team since Temple to defend an Atlantic 10 Title. The Owls (24-6) won the A-10 Championship in 1997, 98 and 99.

Temple won the rematch of last year’s A-10 Championship Match won by Xavier behind the strong play of the All-Conference duo of juniors Yamit Haba and Xu Yun who each had double-doubles for the Owls. Haba finished with 19 kills and 12 digs while Yun tallied 17 kills and 15 digs.

Xavier countered with 16 kills from All-Conference middle blocker Kimberly Cockerel and 10 kills by freshman Katie Duchek but it was not enough to overcome a 73-40 advantage in kills for Temple.

The Owls who also had 16 kills from Liu Shu and 10 by Charity Hill were paced offensively by the Atlantic 10 Setter of the Year Allison Runk who finished with 60 assists on the night.

Temple also had a 64-44 edge in digs as four Owls finished in double figures. Yun led the way with 15 while Margaret Majewska added 14 to go along with Haba’s 12 and Runk’s 11. Xavier had two players of its own with at least ten digs as All-Conference middle blocker Katey Wygant tallied 11 and All-Rookie selection Jordan Brightwell had 10.

Xavier will conclude its season in the Atlantic 10/Conference USA Challenge in Dayton, Ohio on Nov. 29 and 30 against Louisville and Cincinnati.