TIGERS FALL SHORT IN CCAC BATTLE AGAINST FIGHTING SAINTS
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Olivet Nazarene (7-17, 4-5) | 25 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 1 |
|
St. Francis (Ill.) (18-15, 9-4) | 14 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
JOLIET, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University women's volleyball team squared off against the St. Francis (Ill.) Fighting Saints in a pivotal CCAC matchup on Tuesday evening. After dominating the opening set, the Tigers could not secure any of the other razor-close sets, falling in a four-set nail-biter 25-14, 20-25, 23-25, 23-25.
The Tigers brought the heat in the opening set of the match. Sophia Johnston put ONU on the board with a kill early on. The Fighting Saints pushed hard during the set but couldn't grasp onto the lead as ONU's Techiya Jackson rallied off multiple kills. Kills by Jackson, Kaitlyn Kolb, and Halle Nicholas swept USF with a score of 25-14.
ONU kept the energy high in the second set, playing the same way they did in the first set, dominating the court early on. Kelsey Todd's kill well into the second set set the Tigers up for a tied score with USF. This tie would quickly surrender the lead to the Fighting Saints who in return took advantage of being on their home court. ONU dropped the set to USF with a score of 20-25.
USF showed ONU what they were made of early into the third set of the night. However, the Tigers matched their energy, quickly taking hold of the lead. Despite holding the lead for the majority of the set, ONU lost it right at the end with a score of 23-25.
Both squads came into the final set of the match with their best ball play. USF scored early on but that didn't deter ONU. Kills by Sutton Bate, Nicholas and Jackson set the Tigers up for the lead. The Fighting Saints bounced back later in the set and secured the win over ONU with a final set score of 23-25.
GAME VITALS
Final: First Set: ONU 25, USF 14 | Second Set: ONU 20, USF 25 | Third Set: ONU 23, USF 25 | Fourth Set: ONU 23, USF 25
Records: St. Francis (Ill.) 18-15 (9-4 CCAC) | Olivet Nazarene 7-17 (6-7 CCAC)
Location: Pat Sullivan Center | Joliet, Ill. | University of St. Francis (Ill.)
QUICK HITS:
- Nicholas put up 13 kills against USF.
- Julianne Kielion had 21 assists.
- Brianna Cannon secured 15 digs.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Tigers will celebrate their senior night with a home match against Judson. The match is set to take place on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. CST in McHie Arena.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu
