Xavier volleyball eyes another conference championship run

By: Kennedi Bell, Guest Writer

October 15, 2025

The Gold Nuggets women’s volleyball team has earned 23 consecutive conference championships since 2011. The Lady Nuggets competed in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference from 2011 to 2020 and, for the last two seasons, in the Red River Athletic Conference.

On Oct. 17, 2023, they were scheduled to play Loyola University New Orleans at the Convocation Center as they battled their way to their 24th conference championship. Xavier swept the Wolfpack on Aug. 23 (3-0), but Loyola had won seven of its last eight games.

“We definitely have the skill to win the championship,” said Pat Kendrick, head coach and athletic director. “Clarissa Dupree and Isis Harink have been playing very well for the team lately,” Kendrick said. Dupree and Harink are both senior outside hitters.

Xavier benefited from senior leadership on the team.

“We have to be more consistent and play to our strengths,” Sydney Metcalf, outside hitter and team captain, said.

If the women’s volleyball team had won the RRAC championship, it would have been its third consecutive RRAC championship. “The future looks bright for XULA volleyball, with a number of key core members returning and a strong recruiting class coming next fall,” Kendrick said.

The Loyola Wolf Pack left the Convocation Center after sweeping the Gold Nuggets 25-19, 25-23, 25-21. Xavier continued its conference matches but failed to continue its quest for consecutive conference championships.

“I believe Loyola is a very balanced offensive team,” said assistant coach Gabby Waden. “Their right side does pretty well, and they have middles who get up in transition consistently. I think those two positions in particular have lots of offensive depth,” Waden said.