No. 2 SAINT XAVIER PROVES TOO MUCH FOR ONU

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Olivet Nazarene University couldn't slow down one of the top teams in the nation Tuesday night, falling 3-0 (16-25, 15-25, 18-25) to No. 2-ranked Saint Xavier at McHie Arena. Despite a strong showing from Brody McAfee, who posted a team-high 10 kills and added an ace, the Tigers struggled to find a rhythm against a relentless Cougars squad that remained unbeaten in conference play.

Saint Xavier used a quick start and steady service pressure to take control of the opening set. The Cougars jumped out to a 9-4 lead behind an ace and attack error from the Tigers. ONU got some momentum from kills by McAfee and Cade Ooms, but a late surge from Saint Xavier sealed the set, 25-16.

The Tigers clawed their way into contention midway through the second set, stringing together a stretch back-to-back kills from McAfee and Ooms to even the score at 8-8. Jaiton Kamaunu's ace moments later gave ONU a brief 10-9 advantage—its first lead since early in the set. But the Cougars responded swiftly, using four kills in a row to reclaim control. Despite another kill from McAfee out of a timeout, Saint Xavier capitalized on four ONU attack errors and closed on a six-point run to take the set, 25-15. 

The Tigers battled to keep pace in the third set, matching early points from the Cougars with a kill from Ooms and McAfee's ninth of the night. A pair of service aces and a strong run from Saint Xavier opened up the gap, but ONU responded with late offense from Kamaunu, Marquez, and McAfee—who tallied an ace and reached double-digit kills. Rodenmeyer added a block to trim the deficit, and Kamaunu chipped in his third kill of the night. Still, a 6-1 Cougar stretch midway through the frame gave Saint Xavier the cushion it needed. The Cougars closed out the set and the match, 25-18.

Looking Ahead

ONU returns to McHie Arena on Mar. 28th for a conference matchup against Judson University. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CST.

—ONU—

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