The SLU Billikens celebrate taking the lead in Thursday’s match against Army. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

NCAA Volleyball123Final
Army (2-2)161821(0)
SLU (2-2)252525(3)

ST. LOUIS, MO — The Saint Louis University women’s volleyball team enjoyed a straight set victory over Army, Thursday night, in the opening match of the Billiken Invitational, which will be played this weekend at Chaifetz Pavilion.

Sophomore Trinity Luckett had 10 kills and eight blocks, while teammate Delaney Rice added 10 kills and six blocks to lead Saint Louis to the win.

Freshmen Addy Brus and Tea Kalajdzic, who were playing their first ever home match for the Billikens, contributed with eight kills and six kills, respectively.

Saint Louis dominated the match throughout and in particular, controlled play at the net, where the Billikens outblocked the Black Knights, 13-2.

The Billikens are 2-2 on the season following Thursday night’s win. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

Saint Louis def. Army West Point 25-16, 25-18, 25-21
Set 1 – Saint Louis took the lead for good at 2-1 and used a 7-2 run to go on top 7-3. Army closed the gap to a single point three times before SLU began to gradually pull away. A 4-0 spurt gave the Billikens a 15-10 lead, and the Black Knights drew no closer than four the rest of the way.
 
Set 2 – Trailing 10-9, Saint Louis scored the next point to create the eighth tie of the set. That sparked an 8-0 flurry that put the Bills in firm command, and the lead stayed at six points or higher throughout the remainder of the set.
 
Set 3 – There were 10 ties in what proved to be the final frame, the last a 14-14 deadlock. The Billikens created some breathing room with three straight points, then scored both times Army whittled the lead to one to keep the Black Knights at bay.

The Billiken Invitational continues on Friday with three matches. Illinois State will play Xavier at 11 a.m., Illinois State will then play Army at 4 p.m., before SLU concludes the night with a match against Xavier at 7 p.m.

There will be two matches on Saturday. Army will play Xavier at 11 a.m., and SLU will play Illinois State at 2:30 p.m.

SLU sports information contributed to this story.

2024 SLU BILLIKENS WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocationTournament
September 6, 2024 (Friday)7 pmHomeXavierChaifetz PavilionBilliken Invitational
September 7, 2024 (Saturday)2:30 pmHomeIllinois StateChaifetz PavilionBilliken Invitational
September 12, 2024 (Thursday)3 pmNeutralWeber StateSpringfield, Mo.Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational
September 13, 2024 (Friday)3 pmNeutralUT ArlingtonSpringfield, Mo.Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational
September 14, 2024 (Saturday)1 pmAwayMissouri StateSpringfield, Mo.Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Invitational
September 19, 2024 (Thursday)3 pmNeutralDrakeCoralville, IowaHawkeye Invite II
September 20, 2024 (Friday)6 pmAwayIowaCoralville, IowaHawkeye Invite II
September 21, 2024 (Saturday)11 amNeutralSouth DakotaCoralville, IowaHawkeye Invite II
September 27, 2024 (Friday)4 pm CTAwayFordhamBronx, N.Y.
September 28, 2024 (Saturday)1 pm CTAwayFordhamBronx, N.Y.
October 1, 2024 (Tuesday)6 pmAwayLoyola ChicagoChicago, Ill.
October 4, 2024 (Friday)6 pmHomeDuquesneChaifetz Pavilion
October 5, 2024 (Saturday)2 pmHomeDuquesneChaifetz Pavilion
October 11, 2024 (Friday)5 pm AwayVCURichmond, Va.
October 12, 2024 (Saturday)11 a.m.AwayVCURichmond, Va.
October 18, 2024 (Friday)6 pmHomeDavidsonChaifetz Pavilion
October 19, 2024 (Saturday)2 pmHomeDavidsonChaifetz Pavilion
October 24, 2024 (Thursday)6 pmAwayRhode IslandKingston, R.I.
October 25, 2024 (Friday)5 pmAwayRhode IslandKingston, R.I.
October 29, 2024 (Tuesday)6 pmHomeLoyola ChicagoChaifetz Pavilion
November 1, 2024 (Friday)5 pmAwayGeorge WashingtonWashington, D.C.
November 2, 2024 (Saturday)1 pmAwayGeorge WashingtonWashington, D.C.
November 8, 2024 (Friday)6 pmHomeGeorge MasonChaifetz Pavilion
November 9, 2024 (Saturday)1 pmHomeGeorge MasonChaifetz Pavilion
November 15, 2024 (Friday)6 pmHomeDaytonChaifetz Pavilion
November 16, 2024 (Saturday)2 pmHomeDaytonChaifetz Pavilion
November 22, 2024 (Friday)TBANeutralA-10 ChampionshipDayton, OhioAtlantic 10 Championship