The Saint Xavier Cougars men’s volleyball team started their 2013 season out on a hard note this past weekend with two losses. On Friday night, the men lost to Grand View University, who is ranked fifth in the nation, in three sets.
The scores were 25-14, 25-15, and 25-13. On Saturday, the Cougars played a tough game against Missouri Valley, who is ranked eighth in the nation, but ultimately fell to them in four sets with scores of 15-25, 22-25, 25-21, and 19-25.
Justin Cousin, a junior outside hitter, led the team in kills over the weekend. He racked up 16 kills between the two matches. Sean Blackwood, a sophomore middle blocker and J.T. O’Connell, a junior middle blocker also started the season out tough offensively, each earning a combined nine kills between both matches.
Sophomore setter Dan French led the team with 25 assists throughout the weekend. Cousin also chipped in two service aces to round out the offensive game.
On the defensive side, freshman middle blocker Sam Kull started his collegiate career on an impressive note with seven total blocks between the two matches, including four solo blocks. Blackwood contributed three total blocks and O’Connell, five.
The Cougars will host Cardinal Stritch University this Wednesday night for their home opener. The match will start at 7 p.m. Good luck Cougars!