They say good teams peak at the right time…that would certainly be the case for Billiken Volleyball. SLU ended the weekend with two wins against Rhode Island and VCU, securing their spot in the A-10 tournament with one week left of conference play. Sophomore Meredith Boe was named Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman Mallory Dillon collected her second Rookie of the Week honor.

After a heartbreaking five-set loss to Rhode Island last weekend, the two teams faced off again this Friday night – only this time the Bills had home court advantage. The first set, SLU jumped out to an early lead with Freshman Ashley Gagen’s five-point serving run. At 15-8, Rhode Island moved to close the gap but SLU responded finishing the first set 25-19.

URI responded in the second game and late runs finished the set 25-19 in favor of the Rams. Out of the break, the teams deadlocked quickly at 6-6, trading points the entire match. After an incredible 9 match point opportunities for the Bills, they finally clinched the set 35-33. Holding all the momentum going into the fourth, the teams again tied 24-24 at the end of the match. SLU fought again and finished the night on a 27-25 win. Freshman Mallory Dillon collected a match-high 25 kills with a .333 attack percentage.  Sophomore Meredith Boe also finished with 57 assists.

The next night the Bills matched up against conference-leader VCU handing them only their second loss in A-10 play and sixth for their overall record. Despite VCU sophomore Romana Kriskova’s record-setting match, the Bills downed the Rams in three sets. Kriskova’s 13 kills were enough to place her in the books as VCU’s record holder for single-season kills.

As a team, the Bills hit a collective .265, holding VCU to only a .149 attack percentage.  In the first set, the Bills held the lead by as much as eight points when closing out the set 25-18. SLU continued to outpace the Rams in the second set as well, a decisive 10-3 lead put the Billikens in position to capture the second 25-20.

Out of the break, VCU returned with a sense of confidence taking an early 12-6 lead over the Billikens. However, SLU could not be deterred, after a late 22-22 draw SLU pulled ahead and clinched the game 25-23. Prior to the Bills sweep this past weekend VCU had won 13 consecutive sets and 21 of their previous 22.

Over the weekend, Meredith Boe collected 94 assists (13.4 per set) over seven sets.  Boe has been a top setter in the A-10 and is leading the conference with 11.09 assists per set in conference play. Mallory Dillon also had an outstanding weekend, tallying 34 kills across the two matches on a .318 hitting percentage. The Billikens return to Chaifetz Friday, Nov. 15 when they host George Washington at 7 p.m. Following that contest, Saint Louis will host their last home match of the season against George Mason Sunday Nov. 17 at 1 p.m.  The game will honor the program’s seniors prior to first serve.

A trip to the east coast resulted in a split decision for the Billikens this past weekend.  After a 2-3 loss at Rhode Island Friday night the Billikens responded with a sweep of the Fordham Rams on their senior day.

The five-setter opened with a decisive 25-16 first set win for the Billikens.  Collectively, the Billikens recorded a .393 attack percentage holding Rhode Island to only .148.  The second set fell in favor of the Rams defense.  Rhode Island dominated defensively with SLU hitting only .111 on the set evening the match out 1-1.

After the break, SLU regained their composure notching an impressive .343 hitting percentage.   Freshman Danielle Rygelski recorded a set high 4 kills followed closely by Gilbert and a combined freshmen effort for Mallory Dillon and Taylor Paulson each with 3 kills.  Jendryk also recorded 3 blocks.  In set four the Billikens struggled to gain momentum and the Rams won the fourth 25-7 in their most decisive set of the season.  SLU recorded only 7 points on a -.077 attack percentage while the Rams hit an outstanding .550.

Tied 2-2 going into the deciding set the Rams and the Billikens exchanged points up until a 12-10 with the score in favor of the Bills.  In a final effort the Rams concluded the set with a 5-0 run and finished the match 15-12.  Taylor Paulson recorded a team high .471 hitting percentage for the match.

The Billikens then headed to the Bronx to earn their 10th win of the season.  The Ram’s said fair well to seven seniors in their last home match of the season this past Sunday.  The first set SLU led a strong defensive effort holding the Rams to a -.053 attack percentage for a 25-18 win.  The second set featured a closer finish.  After a tie score at 11-11 the teams exchanged points until SLU grabbed a 23-20 lead.  Out of the timeout SLU grabbed the first two points for a 25-23 score and 2-0 lead in the match.

Rygelski lit up the third set with 6 of her 15 total kills falling in the final set.  Gilbert also contributed offensively with 4 kills of her own and an additional 5 digs.  A 25-22 win concluded the sweep in favor of the Billikens.  Freshman Ashley Gagen notched a team high 8 digs.  Jendryk’s 4 total blocks in the match marked her fourth consecutive match recording 4 blocks on the season.

The Billikens return to action at Chaifetz Pavilion Nov. 8, when they host Rhode Island. First serve is set for 7 p.m. The game will be Camp Reunion Night and all Billiken Volleyball campers receive free admission if they wear their camp shirt.  You can catch the Billikens again at home the next night Nov. 9 for the annual Billiken Blue-Out against current A-10 front-runner VCU.

Saint Louis Volleyball ended their three-week road stint with two wins this past weekend.  The Billikens welcomed Atlantic 10 newcomer George Mason with a 3-1 win Friday night and went on to sweep the La Salle Explorers 3-0 Sunday.

George Mason opened the match hitting an impressive .375 in the first set. The Billikens tied the score at five but the Patriots answered with a 7-2 run. SLU closed the gap to 10-14 but the lead grew as large as a 10-point deficit for the Billikens. The Patriots took the first set 15-25.

SLU responded to this initial loss and picked up all facets of their game. As a team, the Billikens notched a .414 hitting efficiency holding the Patriots at .000. Sophomore Megan Gilbert was unstoppable with six kills on seven attacks in the second set. SLU closed out the second set 25-16.

Out of the break the Billiken offense continued to shine, opening the third set with a 10-1 lead.  Mason pulled within five at 15-10 but Freshman Danielle Rygelski’s six kills paced the Billikens to a 25-14 win. The deciding set was the closest of the evening. Nine tie scores, the final at 18-18 made for a tightly contested set. Freshman Mallory Dillon led the Billikens on a four-point run to take the lead 22-18. SLU closed out the match 25-21.

SLU carried this momentum into Sunday’s match with a sweep of the La Salle Explorers (25-14, 25-14, 26-24). In the first set, SLU maintained a comfortable lead controlling the match by 11 points near the end. Dillon’s five kills led the Bills offensive efforts and guided SLU to a  25-14 win.

The second set began with an early 6-1 lead for the Billikens. The Explorers cut the lead down to three early on but SLU’s dominant defense held the Explorers to a .000 attack percentage.

In set three La Salle put up a determined fight leading the Billikens 8-7. The Explorers then notched a four-point run prompting a Billiken timeout at 18-16. SLU refocused with a 3-0 run of their own and the teams continued to exchange points until the end. A Dillon service ace closed out the set 26-24.

The Billikens were led by Gilbert, who led the match with a .438 hitting percentage, her third consecutive match with a .300 hitting efficiency or higher.

Rygelski was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for her efforts over the weekend. This is the second consecutive week she has earned the accolade. Rygelski recorded he seventh double-double of the season with 18 kills and 12 digs against the Patriots Friday nights. She also recorded a team-best 28 kills on a .273 attack percentage across both matches.

Rygelski and the Billikens return to Chaifetz this weekend hosting the Duquesne Dukes Friday, Oct. 11th at 7 p.m. and the Fordham Rams Sunday, Oct. 13th at 1 p.m.

After a disappointing 0-3 loss at Duquesne to open conference play, SLU Volleyball was determined to get back on track Sunday against long-time foe University of Dayton.

Dayton, ranked as high as 22nd in the nation early this season, fell to SLU in an exciting 5 set thriller.

“I’m really proud of how we performed and worked hard as a team to beat Dayton,” sophomore setter Meredith Boe said. “It was a team effort and took every single person to give us the advantage.  I’m really excited to compete at this high level with a great group of girls for the duration of the season.”

SLU opened the match controlling the set with a 5-2 lead. An attack error at 9-9 shifted the momentum in favor of the Flyers and propelled UD to a 7-2 run.  Dayton pushed the gap to 20-13 and closed out the set at 25-15.

The second set featured a more balanced performance.  Dayton had the lead at 15-13 and, five ties later, the teams were deadlocked 23-23. A Flyer kill gave Dayton the game point advantage and they edged out the Bills 25-23.

Out of the break, SLU made a 7-0 run midway through the third set.  Dayton rallied back to put the score within five at 19-14, but SLU was unstoppable hitting .371 and closing out the set 25-18.  The fourth set was another battle but the freshmen dynamic duo Danielle Rygelski and Mallory Dillon contributed a combined 10 kills for a 25-21 victory for the Billikens.

Tie-breaking sets have proved to pose a unique challenge for the Billikens in current and former seasons.  However, it appears the curse lifted Sunday night as the Billikens broke away from an 11-11 tie to win the match 15-12.

Rygelski recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 11 blocks; Dillon also turned in a match-high 17 kills. Meredith Boe notched an impressive 52 assists and Jessica Jendryk led the Billikens with a .545 hitting percentage.

The victory was just that much sweeter for senior transfer Jendryk.  Jendryk faced her younger sister, Dayton setter Jenna Jendryk, through the net last weekend.

“My sister and I have been competing against each other for years but this was the first time we have been able to play across the net from each other,” Jendryk commented. “I thought Jenna played really well running the offense, and I am proud to be her big sister. It was definitely a fun match for our family to watch; they get really into the game, but this time they had to take a neutral position.”

Rygelski was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week for her performance this weekend.  Rygelski led the Bills with 29 kills in two matches (3.62 per set) and also recorded a total of 25 digs and 8 blocks.  She currently ranks fourth in conference for kills per set and third in Atlantic 10 matches.

Rygelski and the Billikens continue Atlantic 10 play this weekend when they travel to newcomer George Mason October 4, at 6 p.m. and La Salle October 5, at 6 p.m.

Freshman Mallory Dillon’s short time at SLU has proven to have a large impact for Billiken Volleyball already this season.

Dillon is among the nation’s top freshmen, currently ranking 22 in NCAA statistics for her 4.26 kills per set.  This places her second in Atlantic 10 standings and first overall for the Billikens with 195 total kills on the season.  Dillon has also earned All-Tournament team plaudits for her performance at both the Comfort Inn Invitational and the Billiken Challenge.  She garnered the first weekly award of the season for SLU, named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the week for the period of Sept. 2-8.

Dillon is part of an impressive class for the Billikens.  Input from more than 120 colleges at PrepVolleyball.com awarded SLU “High Honorable Mention” for the 2013 freshman class.  She is joined in the touted class by Maryann Ejele (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne), Danielle Rygelski (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell), Ashley Gagen (Belleville, Ill./Althoff Catholic) and Taylor Paulson (Louisville, Ky./Assumption).

The team was what drew Dillon the most to SLU.

“I knew I didn’t want to be too far from home for school. I loved all the coaches when I first met them and felt like I really fit in with the girls.”

Former rival and Freshman stand-out Danielle Rygelski is one of those teammates. Dillon and Rygelski played for rival high school and club teams, but decided to put any animosity to rest when choosing to play together at SLU.

“I realized it was probably better to play with her than against her,” Rygelski said. This partnership has proved to be fruitful for the team with Dillon and Rygelski ranking second and third respectively in Atlantic 10 standings for kills per set.

Prior to her career as a Billiken, Dillon, a St. Charles native, attended Francis Howell High School and played for St. Louis High Performance and St. Louis CYC Volleyball clubs.  Dillon elected to sit out her senior year of high school in order to seek better competition. Open gyms in Kirkwood and a rigorous workout regimen helped her to prepare for the next level.

Her secret to success is not due to any wild superstitions.

“Communicating well with my teammates is what helps me to be successful,” Dillon commented. “I also try to focus on each individual play and not worry about the one before it.”  Her goals for personal accomplishment translate into goals for the team.  Dillon has high hopes for SLU Volleyball (4-9) expecting to secure an Atlantic 10 championship and NCAA run during her career.

“We are a really young team; as we develop we will keep on getting better and better,” Dillon said.  Off the court, Dillon listed traveling as one of her favorite parts of being on the SLU volleyball team.  She views traveling as an opportunity for the team to spend time together and get to know each other.

Away from the team, Dillon enjoys spending time outside boating with her family.  Her older sister Megan plays volleyball for Lindenwood University.

Dillon and the Billikens return to action this weekend, Sept. 27, with the opening of Atlantic 10 play. The Billikens take on Duquesne in Pittsburgh on Sept. 27 and Dayton in Ohio on Sept. 29.  SLU returns to Chaifetz Friday, Oct. 11 vs. Duquesne and Sunday, Oct. 13 vs. Fordham.

SLU Volleyball returned to Chaifetz this past weekend hosting Miami (Ohio), Youngstown State and Bradley in the annual Billiken Challenge.

Before opening tournament play, the Bills started the weekend dropping a five set thriller to Northern Iowa, 2-3 (31-29, 19-25, 31-33, 25-18, 14-16).  The Billikens battled UNI the first set and a five point run late in the game secured a 31-29 victory for SLU.  The Panthers responded in the second game, silencing the Bills with a 25-19 win.  Out of the time out both teams were at it again.  With the score tied seventeen times during game three it was anyone’s set to take.  A late attack error shifted the momentum in favor of the Panthers and UNI closed out game three 33-31.  SLU bounced back, leading the Panthers by an impressive 13-1 margin to start the set.  The Billikens went on to win 25-18.  The fifth set was nothing short of heartbreaking.  After a 14-14 deadlock UNI broke loose to clinch the win at 16-14.

Statistically, SLU was led by freshmen Danielle Rygelski and Mallory Dillon on the offensive end. Both Rygelski and Dillon recorded 28 kills in the match. Rygelski hit a team-best .358 and added 13 digs to record a double-double. Dillon hit .217 with seven digs and five blocks.  Libero Anna Church also notched 30 digs in the contest.

The Billikens continued play Friday evening opening the Billiken Challenge with another marathon match against Miami (Ohio) 2-3 (25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-17).  SLU began the match with a decisive 25-22 victory over the RedHawks in set one. The Bills again opened with a 6-3 lead in set two, however a 5-1 run for Miami put the RedHawks at 8-7.  SLU made a late run to close the 22-14 gap but dropped the second set 25-21.  An eight point run early in the third by Sophomore libero Anna Church led the Bills to a 25-18 win.  The RedHawks responded with a 25-19 win of their own sending the match to a fifth game. SLU again came up short in a nail biting fifth set dropping the match 17-15.

The Challenge continued Saturday as SLU matched up against Youngstown State.  After playing ten sets Friday night, SLU opened play with energy defeating the Penguins 25-23. However, Youngstown’s impressive defensive efforts proved to be too tough for the Bills.  The Penguins closed out the match with scores of 25-20, and 25-21.

The Billikens capped off the weekend on a positive note with a 3-0 sweep of Bradley.  The hot hitting Billikens recorded a .406 hitting percentage in the first set.  Rygelski led the Billikens in the second set recording no errors on seven swings, and SLU went on to close out the third 25-23.

The defensive trio freshman Maryann Ejele (four blocks), junior Nicole Sniffen four blocks) and sophomore Megan Gilbert (five blocks) held the Braves at a .174 hitting efficiency on the match.  Rygelski and Dillon were awarded all-tournament honors for their performance over the weekend.

The Billikens return to action next weekend, Sept. 20-21 in Fayetteville, Ark. in the Razorback Invitational. Saint Louis will join South Alabama (Sept. 20 at 4:30 p.m.), Kansas State (Sept. 21 at 1 p.m.) and Arkansas (Sept. 21 at 7 p.m.) in a talented field.

Billiken Volleyball began road contests this past weekend competing in the Comfort Inn Invitational at Morehead State.  The Billikens started the tournament strong with their first sweep of the season defeating host Morehead, 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-15).

Sophomore Megan Gilbert led the Billikens in the first set hammering down five kills with a .571 hitting efficiency.  Freshman Danielle Rygelski also contributed four kills of her own.  The Billikens went on to hold the Eagles to a .000 hitting percentage in the second set.  Freshman Mallory Dillon (six kills) and Danielle Rygelski (five kills) also helped secure the second set win.  The third set was paced by Rygelski’s six kills, she closed out the game with a match-best 15 kills on a .367 attack percentage.

SLU continued to dominate the second day of play with a sweep of Montana State, 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-20).  The Billikens were unmatched on the defensive end.  Megan Gilbert added five total blocks, junior Nicole Sniffen and senior Jessica Jendryk also contributed four blocks of their own. Sophomore Anna Church ran the back row pacing the Billiken defense with 23 digs.

The Billikens fell short in the final match of the day dropping a 3-0 decision to tournament champion IUPUI, 3-0 (25-20, 25-22, 25-21).  SLU battled back from a 20-14 deficit in the first set cutting the lead to three at 23-20.  Unfortunately, their efforts were inconclusive as IUPUI went on to secure the first set.  The Billikens took control early in the second game holding the Jaguars at 13-10.  A SLU service error broke the run and led to four subsequent ties, the last at 20-20 before the Jags broke away.  Out of the break, the Billikens again took an early lead but the Jags ultimately prevailed closing out the final set 21-25.

The Billikens were paced by the efforts of Sophomore Meredith Boe who racked up 29 assists in the three set match.  Anna Church (16 digs) and Erin Nakatsuka (13 digs) also aided in the Billikens efforts.  Freshman Mallory Dillon was awarded All-Tournament team plaudits for her efforts over the weekend.  Dillon recorded a team high 40 kills and .269 attack percentage in the nine sets of tournament play.

Dillon also collected Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week honors for the week of Sept. 2-8, the first weekly award of the season for the Billikens.  On the season, Dillon leads SLU with 80 kills and ranks 27th nationally with 4.21 kills per set, and she is also second on the team with 51 digs.

The Billikens continued road play this past week dropping a three set match in Carbondale, IL against SIUE, 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-19).  Saint Louis returns to action this weekend with four matches at Chaifetz Pavilion. Northern Iowa comes to town Friday for a noon match. The Billikens face Miami (Ohio) Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Billiken Challenge, and the tourney continues Saturday against Youngstown State (noon) and Bradley (7 p.m.).