It is the end of the season for Saint Xavier University Women’s Volleyball team and they are playing their best volleyball of the season. The team even had one player recognized for her incredible play by the Chicago Collegiate Athletic Conference. Junior middle hitter Marie Hackert was announced on Tuesday Nov. 5 as the CCAC Volleyball Player of the Week.
Hackert earned the honor because of her marvelous efforts in the matches prior to Nov. 3. In two matches she had 18 kills and 11 blocks for the Cougars leading them to a 2-0 record for the week.
Later that night the Cougars took on Roosevelt University and Hackert would show off why she won the award. The team won the match in four sets: 19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20 and Hackert had another great night tallying 13 kills and five blocks.
The other co-captian junior setter Kelli Shaffer continues to also play extremely well with 35 assists, six digs, four kills, and two service aces. Sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Heidi Gregerson and junior defensive specialist/outside hitter Jessica Galotta finished with nine kills each for the Cougars. Galotta also played hard on defense collecting 10 digs while junior libero Dominique Aramburu led the team with 11 digs and through in two service aces.
The Cougars would play their last game of the year in front of the home crowd at good ole Saint Xavier University. It was a special time for the team because it was “Family Night” giving the chance for the players and fans to honor the family or loved ones of these incredible athletes before the match.
After the festivities were over it was time for the Cougars to get down to business against the Judson University Eagles. Playing in front of a pumped up crowd the Cougars won this match up in four sets: 25-20, 25-20, 19-25, 25-19.
Sophomore right side hitter Meghan Falsey had the best night of her career statistically finishing with a career high 14 kills and another career in aces with four. The sensational setter Shaffer had 43 assists, 11 digs and two aces. Hackert was remarkable again tallying 14 kills and three solo blocks.
Aramburu led the defensive effort for SXU with 22 digs and freshmen right side hitter Natalie Carberry was incredible off the bench finishing with eight kills and four digs. The team finished the regular season with an overall 16-13 record and secured the number sixth seed for the CCAC Volleyball Tournament.
The Cougars are playing very impressive volleyball just in time for the conference tournament. The team will play Cardinal Stritch University in the first round of the tournament on Tuesday Nov. 12.
Damone Griffin
Sports Editor