ONU FALLS IN FINAL ROAD MATCH OF THE SEASON AT SAINT XAVIER

CHICAGO – The Olivet Nazarene University men's volleyball team concluded the road portion of its schedule by losing in straight sets to the nationally-ranked Saint Xavier University Cougars.

The Cougars got off to a hot start as they marked seven of the first 10 points of the game.  Sterling Staranchuk notched a kill in the early going for the Tigers.  The Cougars dominated the rest of the set as they won the first set, 25-8.  Collier Kahaku Marquez marked the only other kill of the set. 

The Tigers started the second set with the lead as they led 4-2.  Max Slaughter, the reigning CCAC Attacker of the Week, tallied a kill at the beginning.  At the score of 10-9, Cougars, the Tigers scored the next three points making the score, 12-10.  Jaiton Kamaunu notched a service ace for the Tigers.  The Cougars controlled the majority of the set until Slaughter and the Tigers cut into their deficit.  At 22-18, Slaughter notched a pair of kills and the Tigers tied the set at 22 all.

The Tigers saw kills from Kahaku Marquez and Slaughter down the stretch, but it was not enough as the Cougars took the second set, 29-27. 

Saint Xavier got off to a good start in the third set, but the Tigers went on a run and took the lead.  At the score of 5-3, a kill from Garrett Schad sparked a 5-0 run as the Tigers took an 8-5 lead.  Later in the set, at the score of 14 all, the Cougars distanced themselves from the Tigers as they went on a 5-1 run making the score, 19-15.

The Tigers saw kills from Slaughter and Jackson Harvey down the stretch, but the Cougars took the third set, 25-20, and the match, 3-0. 

GAME VITALS

Finals: First Set: SXU 25, ONU 8 | Second Set: SXU 29, ONU 27 | Third Set: SXU 25, ONU 20

Records: Saint Xavier: 23-9 (12-0 CCAC) | Olivet Nazarene: 7-22 (5-7 CCAC)

Location: Shannon Center | Saint Xavier University | Chicago, Ill.

QUICK HITS

• Slaughter led the Tigers with eight kills and added three digs and two block assists. 
• Kahaku Marquez followed with four kills. 
• Hunter DeMello led the Tigers with six assists and Schad followed with five. 
• James Ballance led the Tigers with five digs. 
• Staranchuk led the Tigers with four block assists. 

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Tigers welcome the Trolls of Trinity Christian College to McHie Arena for Senior Night on Thursday, March 24^th.  The opening service is set for 7 p.m. Please visit onutigers.com for more information. 

--ONU—

*Contact: Sam Viebrock, Sports Information Director, stviebrock@olivet.edu