TIGERS' SEASON ENDS IN HEARTBREAKING SEMIFINAL LOSS TO CALUMET

CHICAGO, IL. - Olivet Nazarene University's men's volleyball team's championship dreams were dashed in a heart-wrenching five-set defeat to Calumet St. Joseph on Friday night at the CCAC Tournament semifinals hosted by St. Xavier University. Despite a valiant effort, the Tigers were unable to overcome a resilient Crimson Wave squad, falling by a score of 3-2 (25-21, 22-25, 21-25, 25-20, 13-15).

The opening set saw ONU establish control early on. Brody McAfee (19 kills, 2 solo blocks, 4 assisted blocks) and Jaiton Kamaunu (15 kills, 1 assisted block) found their groove offensively, putting down a barrage of kills. The Tigers' middle blocker, Patrick Ray, provided a formidable wall at the net, stuffing Calumet's attempts and forcing them into errors. This dominant performance by ONU translated to a comfortable 25-21 victory. 

The second set, however, was a different story. Calumet responded with renewed intensity, matching ONU point for point. McAfee and Kamaunu continued to be a reliable offensive weapons for the Tigers, but Calumet's hitters began to find their rhythm. The score remained tight throughout, but ultimately, a late surge by the Crimson Wave, fueled by a service ace and a couple of Tiger errors, saw them steal the set 25-22, tying the match at one set apiece

The third set followed a similar pattern, with both teams exchanging blows. ONU struggled to contain Calumet's outside hitters, who began to exploit weaknesses in the Tiger block. Despite a valiant effort from the Tigers, with setter Tomas Gonzalez (56 assists) distributing the ball effectively and Kahaku Marquez (14 kills, 4 assisted blocks) adding key points, Calumet pulled away late in the set, taking it 25-21.

Refusing to go down without a fight, ONU roared back in the fourth set. The Tigers ONU Nazarene capitalized on their opportunities offensively, cruising to a 25-20 victory and tying the match at two sets apiece. 

The fifth set was a nail-biter from start to finish. Both teams traded points back-and-forth, showcasing incredible athleticism and defensive prowess. Unfortunately, a few crucial errors at inopportune moments proved costly for the Tigers. Calumet capitalized on these mistakes, edging out ONU 15-13 in the fifth set to secure the dramatic victory.

Looking Ahead

This loss marks the end of the season for ONU. Despite the disappointing finish, the Tigers can hold their heads high after a hard-fought season.

--ONU—

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