Welcome back fellow Cougars to a new semester of SXU athletics. With the changing of the seas
ons comes new seasons of sports here at SXU. Starting off the trend is the Men’s Volleyball team, as they opened their season this past Thursday against Illinois Institute of Technology. Will the Cougars start of their season with a win, or will their spring season start with a drought?
Thursday, January 19
In their first game of the season, SXU racked up the victory on their home court against the ITT Hawks in an impressive 3-0 sweep. The first set saw SXU and ITT in a close one that saw SXU take the win 25-20. The next two sets, however, were routs as SXU won the second set, 25-16 and the third 25-14. Junior blocker Thomas Matonis led the way with 6 kills, and senior Sean Barry added to this with 5 blocks of his own with 5 aces to match.
With the momentum from the win of their first game, SXU looked to use it to propel them to a win in the second game of their back-to-back against Siena Heights University. Going against a tough conference team, Will SXU get their second consecutive win, or add to their loss column for the first time.
Friday, January 20
Unfortunately, SXU was unable to get another win, dropping the game 3-1. Siena Heights took momentum early on by taking the first set 25-14. SXU was able to come back in the second set though with a tight score of 25-23. SXU took a L bounced back, but so did Siena Heights as they took the next two sets, 25-17 and 25-22 consecutively. Despite the tough loss, senior Sean Barry had a great game with a game high best of 17 kills and 11 digs.
The Cougars return to action this coming Tuesday as face up against Dominican University. For a recap of that game and many others keep it locked here at the Xavierlite.
Kenneth Washington
Sports Editor