The snapshot of Xavier's volleyball season is that of Tami Ores, crying in the trainer's room as she stretches her right knee.

        It happens about every other day. The senior setter is in such pain — only a year removed from reconstructive surgery — that it's hard to envision her playing. Much the same way it's hard to envision her team still playing.

        XU (22-7, 13-3 Atlantic 10) qualified for the four-team A-10 Tournament this weekend at Dayton, no small feat for a group that graduated two first-team A-10 performers last year in Beth Osterday and Jenny Janszen. The Musketeers, who tied for second in the A-10, a game behind George Washington, meet Temple (18-9, 13-3) at 3:30p.m. Saturday in the semifinals.

        If it wins, XU would play either GW (23-5, 14-2) or Dayton (18-10, 10-6) in the final at 1p.m. Sunday. The winner gets an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

        Though XU has averaged 21 victories in coach Floyd Deaton's 11 seasons, it still seeks its first NCAA bid. “That's what we're all planning on,” Ores said.

        Ores returns to the place where she tore the ACL in her right knee Oct.15, 1999; she had surgery four weeks later. She rushed rehab to be ready when practice started Aug.12, and she ranks second in the A-10 in assists a game (12.76).

        “There was no way I was missing this year,” Ores said.

        She and outside hitter Gina Geraci (Notre Dame Academy) are the only seniors. The team's star is junior right-side hitter Sara Bachus (Seton), who collected her 1,000th career kill last month and was named A-10 player of the week three times this season. Bachus' .372 hitting percentage leads the A-10 and is a school record.

        Junior outside hitter Jill Hampton (Notre Dame) has 961 career kills and ranks second in the A-10 in digs per game (3.59).

        The Musketeers started 0-3 but have been 22-4 since, having won 11 of their last 12 matches. They split two matches with Temple. “This season is special, because it has been such a surprise,” Deaton said.

Xavier Stories

XU volleyball: Surprising Muskies in A-10 semis

Bengals' passing game fails
SULLIVAN: Akili Smith
'Cats ready to 'shock' people
UC scouting report
Corner center of big plays
Fuller signs with UC
Injuries can't stop Colerain on ground
OSU: Game - not talk - is big
UK's Major to resign
Hockey: Blue Jackets stun Cup finalists 3-2
Midget/Prep Hockey Tournament at Goggin Arena
KY PREP SKED

• Return to Xavier front page...