Caydann Cox goes for the Kill SXU Athletics
This past Tuesday Feb. 18 2025, the Cougars traveled to Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill. and won three sets to one. What was once a former CCAC rivalry matchup, is another win for the undefeated Cougars that are now 9-0.
This matchup started off with a little back and forth, as the game was knotted up at 5-4. Eventually, the Cougars would build steam and go on a 10-3 run making the score 15-7. After trading points for a little the Cougars would close out the set and win that set 25-17, taking the first set.
The Cougars went 6-0 to start off the second set then ended because of a service error. The Cougars and Lakers would go back and forth again making the score 9-4, but the Cougars would go on a 4-0 run making the score 13-4. Due to service and attacking errors from the Cougars, the Lakers brought the game to 17-10. The Cougars couldn’t afford to let up a comeback, so the Cougars closed out the second set 25-13. The Cougars would be up two sets to none.
The third set opened with a 7-7 score and a stalemate. Multiple errors from the Cougars would give the Lakers their first lead during the whole matchup at a score of 13-10. The Cougars were down but not out of the game. The Cougars would play hard and tied the game at 16. The Lakers would put together an offensive attack to win their first set of the matchup. The Cougars would still lead the match up 2-1.
The fourth set opened with a back and forth exchange of points as the game was tied at 10. This was the third time in two sets that these two teams were tied. Although the Cougars and the Lakers aren’t in the same conference, this matchup shows that the rivalry still looms. Even so the Cougars put up an offensive clinic and went on a 9-4 run and the Cougars would take not only the set, but the win.
This rivalry has not lost steam. Although the scoreboard says something different, this game was close. There were many points in the last set the Cougars and the Lakers went point for point like how boxers go punch for punch. There also was something on the line. The Cougars were aiming to keep up the winning streak and strive for number one in the NAIA. The Lakers on the other hand were searching for their first win. It would’ve been a statement for them if they got their first against a former rival, as well as the number two ranked team in the NAIA.
This game wasn’t the cleanest for the Cougars as they finished the game with 20 errors, which is shockingly more than usual. In their past two games they played Olivet Nazarene University and Benedictine University Mesa. In their game against Olivet Nazarene, they only had eight errors, and 11 against Benedictine. Which means the Cougars accumulated more errors in this game than their past two games.
Errors are very crucial because they reward the opposing team a point, and the more errors equals more points for the other team. The Cougars focal point going into their next game should be not only to play smart but clean.
On the other hand, the Cougars’ attacking game has been very effective. The Cougars had 56 total kills in this game, which is their second most kills in a game this season. The one leading this surge is Senior Opposite Hitter, Matt Pennala. Pennala currently leads the team with 106 kills this season and lean on him for their offensive game. Another attacking support for the Cougars is Sophomore Outside Hitter, Caydann Cox, who finished the game with ten kills.
The Cougars seek to keep the undefeated streak going as they prepare for Trinity Christian College Trolls. They take them on at home in the Shannon Center on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025 at 7 p.m.