LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Visiting Xavier nearly fought off a 0-2 deficit to defeat the University of Louisville on Friday in the A-10/C-USA Challenge at Cardinal Arena.

The Cardinals (24-6) took the win, 3-2 (30-23, 30-16, 28-30, 25-30, 15-11) over Atlantic 10 Tournament Champion Xavier (25-4) by dominating the first two games and holding on to squeeze out a four point win in the fifth.

XU was led by senior Sara Bachus (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton H.S.) with 18 kills and 21 blocks as well as two others with double-doubles.

The senior duo of Jill Hampton (Ft. Mitchell, Ky./Notre Dame Academy) and Amanda Lang (Cincinnati, Ohio/Seton H.S.) each had big nights in bringing the Musketeers back from 0-2 to the brink of victory. Hampton had 15 kills and 15 digs while Lang contributed with 12 kills and 16 digs.

Junior Katey Wygant (Papillion, Neb./Papillion La Vista H.S.) also ahd double-digit kills with 11 as well as four blocks for Xavier.

The visitors also benefitted from 57 assists and 17 digs by freshman Molly Martin (Minnetonka, Minn./Hopkins H.S.).

Xavier will next play cross-town rival Cincinnati on Saturday in Louisville at 1 p.m.