By Dustin Dow and Ryan Ernst
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Two weeks ago, it looked like Xavier's volleyball team would watch the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament from Cintas Center seats today and Saturday.

Only the league's top four teams get into the tournament, and the Musketeers didn't figure on being one of those, considering they hadn't won an A-10 game since Oct.18.

Entering its final two A-10 regular-season games last weekend, Xavier's record was 14-13 overall and 5-7 in the league. But the Musketeers defeated Temple and La Salle to get a chance at defending their A-10 Tournament title.

"Who would have thought?" said Xavier coach Floyd Deaton. "A week ago, we lost six in a row and it looked like we were just playing it out."

The Musketeers (16-13, 7-7) are the No.4 seed and open play at 4:30 p.m. today against top-seeded Temple, the A-10 regular-season champion. Dayton plays George Washington at 7 p.m. in the other semifinal. The final is 7 p.m. Saturday.

"They found a way to win," Deaton said of his players. "I just stayed out of their way."

It wasn't easy beating the Owls last weekend. Xavier senior Katey Wygant led the way with 20 kills and 15 digs.

Xavier swept Temple in last year's title game.

Tickets can be purchased at Cintas Center or from the Xavier ticket office by calling 513-745-3411. Ticket prices for a single-day pass are $5 for adults and $3 for children/students. A two-day pass costs $8 for adults and $5 for children/students.

UC a three-seed: The University of Cincinnati volleyball team gets a first-round bye at the Conference USA Tournament in Chicago, and will play either No.6 Charlotte or No.11 Memphis at 2 p.m. Saturday.

UC enters the C-USA Tournament as winners of 18 of its past 20 matches.