TIGERS' HOME OPENER ENDS IN HEARTBREAK
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Goshen (IN) (3-5) | 22 | 24 | 26 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (2-2) | 25 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 13 | 2 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Olivet Nazarene University's (ONU) men's volleyball team battled to the wire in their home opener Tuesday night, but the Tigers fell just short, dropping a five-set heartbreaker to Goshen College, 3-2 (25-22, 26-24, 24-26, 23-25, 13-15).
ONU came out firing in the first set, hitting .233 as a team. Brody McAfee led the charge with key kills, while Kahaku Marquez and Jackson Harvey controlled the net defensively. A late push by Goshen was shut down as the Tigers capitalized on a Maple Leafs' service error to take the set, 25-22.
The Tigers stayed aggressive in the second, fending off multiple lead changes. Will Byers orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 44 assists on the night. A kill from Jaiton Kamaunu tied the set at 24 before back to back service aces sealed the set, 26-24, putting ONU up 2-0.
Goshen refused to back down, responding with a 26-24 win in the third. The Tigers continued to attack behind McAfee and Marquez, but service errors proved costly. ONU tied the set at 24 with a block by Marquez and Byers, but Goshen responded with a kill before sealing the frame on a set error by the Tigers.
The fourth set followed a similar script, with ONU leading late before Goshen strung together a late rally. The Tigers' blocking unit, led by Marquez and Byers, tallied five blocks in the frame, but the Maple Leafs executed in crunch time, escaping with a 25-23 victory to force a decisive fifth set.
With momentum on their side, Goshen took an early lead in the final frame, but ONU fought back behind McAfee and Marquez, who combined for 28 kills. The Tigers controlled the net throughout the match, outblocking the Maple Leafs 22-8, but Goshen found the final points it needed to close out a 15-13 win, handing ONU its first home loss of the season.
Looking Ahead
ONU looks to rebound on Feb. 8th, when it hosts Missouri Baptist University. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CST.
--ONU—
*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu
