Welcome back fellow Cougars, to the sports recap that puts Saint Xavier University on the map. I’m Ken, and today we are recapping some of the hottest games that occurred over the 
weekend of September 9.
Golf
Both the Men’s and Women’s golf team were involved in the two day ONU Tiger Fall Invite in Kankakee, Illinois.
Friday, Sept 9th-Saturday, Sept 10th
Men
With only three golfers competing at the tournament, the men’s team was unable to place as a team. Despite this setback, Freshman Matthew Clarke had a good showing as he tied for 11th out of 35 other golfers. Clarke shot an 83 on day 1 and a 73 on day 3, for a total combined score of 156. Junior Bobby Lively finished in 25th, shooting an 88 on day 1 and an 80 on day 2, for a total score of 168. Finally, freshman Kristopher Boddie finished 30th with a score 178.
Women
The women enjoyed better success at the tournament as they finished fourth out of 8 total teams. The team finished with a score 352 on day 1 and 343 on day 2 for a total team score of 695. Senior Taylor Thompson had an amazing showing as she won the tournament with a score of 80 on day 1 and 73 on day 2 for a total score of 153. Thompson’s performance wasn’t the only thing that propelled SXU to their fourth place finish as junior Hannah Cruz and senior Katie Reno both tied for 17th place.
Both teams have a ways to go as their next tournament won’t be till October 17 as they look to compete in the two day Kohler Collegiate Classic.
Volleyball
It was a long weekend for the women’s volleyball team as they competed in the two day Julie Martin Memorial Tournament hosted by Madonna University in Livonia Michigan.
Friday, Sept 9th
Game 1 vs Western Ontario University
The first game in the tournament saw SXU Cougars face up against WOU.
Set 1
The first set was very closely contested, as it saw both teams go back and forward with each other for the better part of this set. Tied at 13-13, SXU went on a 7-3 run to give them a comfortable 20-15 lead. Fearing they’d lose the set, WOU went on a 7-3 run of their own, but ultimately it was useless as SXU was able to seal the deal 25-22.
Set 2
Feeling the recent scorn of defeat, Western University came out ready to play, and they showed this by going taking a demanding 12-6 lead early. WOU showed no signs of stopping either, as they finished out the game winning it in dominant fashion, 25-15.
Set 3
SXU was in full attack mode after being embarrassed in the last set. They led 17-9 early in the game. Sophomore Mariana Ayala was showing out this game with some clutch assists down the stretch that really propelled SXU to a 25-17 victory, and a 2-1 set lead.
Set 4
The final set saw SXU taking the set 25-21, and taking the game at 3 sets to 1. Sophomore Courtney Joyce was having a career night, as she totaled 17 kills and 11 assists to lead the Cougars to their first tournament win.
VS Cornerstone University
Set 1
Cornerstone University was the next team up for SXU, and they proved to be a challenge right away by taking the set, 25-22. The set was fairly close throughout, but a late 5-1 run by CSU cemented their victory of set 1.
Set 2
The second set was super competitive as it saw both teams going back and forward, all the way up to being tied at 16-16. SXU then went on a 5-2 run that really sealed this set in their favor, as they went on to win the set 25-22 and tie up the game at one win apiece.
Set 3
SXU and CSU once again waged war against each other in this one, but another slick run (This time being a 5-0 run) put the set away at 25-20, and put SXU up 2 sets to CSU’s 1.
Set 4
The fourth set would prove to be the last as SXU put the tightly contested set away, 25-23. With this they were able to win the game 3 sets to 1, and move on to the second day of competition.
Saturday, Sept 10th
VS Madonna University
SXU started off their second day of competition with a crushing 3 sets to 1 loss. SXU started off the first set up 5-0, but Madonna University had their number as they were able to come back and win 25-20. Madonna University came back and dismantled SXU, beating them 25-15, and SXU handled this by taking set 3 25-19 and prolonging the game. The final set saw MUVB closing out SXU by beating them with a humiliating 25-13.
VS University of Winsor
After suffering their first loss in the tournament, SXU was hoping to rebound against the University of Winsor, and ultimately they were successful as they beat them 3 sets to 0. Sophomore Alex Lambros was a lady on a mission as she finished out this game with 11 total kills.
SXU Volleyball team continues play at home against Roosevelt University on September 12.
That’ll end this week’s recap. Join me again on the Xavierite on Friday for a recap of next week’s sports.
Kenneth Washington
Sports Editor