TIGERS STUMBLE ON THE ROAD AGAINST COUGARS

CHICAGO, IL. – Olivet Nazarene University's men's volleyball team battled valiantly but ultimately fell short in a road contest against the Saint Xavier University Cougars on Tuesday night. Despite a strong showing in the first set, the Tigers were unable to maintain momentum, ultimately dropping the match 3-1 (25-22, 25-12, 25-19, 25-22).

The opening set saw ONU come out firing. The Tigers displayed a well-balanced offensive attack, with outside hitters Brody McAfee (5 kills) and Jaiton Kamaunu (9 kills) finding success against the SXU block. The defense, anchored by middle blocker Sterling Staranchuk (5 kills), held strong at the net, forcing the Cougars into a number of errors. This collective effort propelled the Tigers to a narrow 25-22 victory in the first set.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the second set. SXU came out with renewed focus, tightening their defense and exploiting weaknesses in the ONU offense. The Tigers struggled to generate any rhythm, falling behind early and ultimately dropping the set decisively by a score of 25-12. The Cougars continued their dominance in the third set, capitalizing on ONU's miscues and maintaining a comfortable lead throughout. Despite a late surge from the Tigers, SXU secured the set 25-19.

The fourth set remained a tightly contested affair. Both teams traded points relentlessly, showcasing impressive defensive plays. ONU battled back from a slight deficit and was able to tie the game at 10-10 before taking the lead, raising hopes of forcing a fifth set. However, crucial errors at inopportune moments proved costly, allowing SXU to edge out the Tigers 25-22 and claim the match victory.

Looking Ahead

ONU will have a chance to bounce back quickly as they return home for a conference matchup against the Judson University Eagles on Mar. 21st. The game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST.

--ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu