HOUSTON – The Celts of the University of St. Thomas concluded play at their UST Volleyball Classic on Saturday, falling in three sets to NAIA program Xavier (La.).

Scores of the match were 25-21, 25-15, and 25-19.

Alaina Lanik (FR/Richmond, Texas) led the Celts with kills, followed by five kills apiece from Alyssa Ajlouny (SO/Cypress, Texas) and Kaje Massenburg (SO/Arlington, Texas). Kelsie Walker (JR/Baytown, Texas) tallied 18 assists and 10 digs, while Mariah Regan (SO/Katy, Texas) led the defensive effort with 15 digs.

The Celts, who are in their first year of provisional membership in the NCAA's Division III, were within striking distance in the midway points of each set, but Xavier (20-5) pulled away each time. (NCAA Division III members cannot grant athletic scholarships.)

With the loss, the Celts fell to 6-14.

The Celts return to Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play Friday, Oct. 18, when they face both Johnson & Wales, and Texas Lutheran as part of a four-match weekend at Trinity University in San Antonio. First serve against JWU (Colo.) is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday.