The 2016 men’s volleyball season has not gone according to plan for the Saint Xavier Cougars six games into the year. Head coach Robert Heersema and assistant Anne Kuziela are hoping to have better luck in the CCAC moving forward, after losses to Robert Morris, number eight ranked Saint Ambrose and ninth ranked Lourdes University (Ohio) last week.
February 2, 2016: Saint Xavier University vs Robert Morris University. The Cougars of Saint Xavier University opened conference play on Tuesday, February 2 against Robert Morris University (RMU) at the Shannon Center.
Playing at home for the second time this season, the Cougars hoped the familiar atmosphere of the Shannon Center would help the team bounce back after a tough loss to Marian University. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the beginning of the match followed a theme all too familiar.
RMU jumped out to an early lead in the first set by rattling off seven of the game’s first nine points. Saint Xavier responded, however, as the Cougars managed to answer valiantly with 11 of the next 15 points of their own. Saint Xavier closed the gap in the first set and trailed the Eagles by just one. At a score of 11-10, the Cougars were not able to come within that margin for the rest of the first set.
The efforts of the outside hitter, Sean Barry, and the defensive specialist, Brandon McGinnis, was not enough as Robert Morris commanded the second half of the first set. In the end, the Eagles took the first set 25-17. The second set was much more competitive and the two teams consistently exchanged points back-and-forth.
Junior outside hitter, Dan O’Keefe, showcased his athleticism by working hard up front along with sophomore middle blocker, Thomas Matonis, using his 6-4 frame to disrupt oncoming RMU attacks. Junior setter, Moises Lopez, was once again in the middle of most of the fray and finished the night with 25 assists, two block assists, a service ace and a kill.
Junior libero, Dominic Villa, was all over the court on the defensive side, recording a team-high nine digs on the night. A turning point occurred late in the contest when Robert Morris firmly grabbed control of the match.
With the score 19-15 in favor of the Eagles, Saint Xavier’s late comeback attempt fell short in the end as the second set went to Robert Morris by a score of 25-21. Down two sets to one, a dejected Cougars team fell quietly in the third by a score of 25-15. Saint Xavier dropped their conference opener and saw their record fall to 0-4.
February 4, 2016: Saint Xavier University vs No. 8 Saint Ambrose University. It was an inspired effort by Saint Xavier at the start, but the number eight ranked Saint Ambrose proved to be too much for the winless Cougars.
Coach Heersema must have been pleased with the effort put forth by Saint Xavier against a ranked opponent in the first set on Thursday. Outside hitters Dan O’Keefe and Sean Barry combined for 15 kills on the day, while Moises Lopez was there for assists and digs. Contributions from top players O’Keefe, Barry and Lopez kept the first set close throughout. Tied at eight, Saint Ambrose created some separation by gaining a healthy 18-13 lead.
Saint Xavier made it interesting and brought the score to 23-20, but the Bee’s stung the Cougars too many times and won the set 25-20. Saint Xavier saw the 25-20 loss as reassurance that they could play with number eight Saint Ambrose. The second set was competitive and even saw the Cougars grab an early lead. O’Keefe and Barry continued to dominate upfront and led Saint Xavier to a quick 10-9 lead.
That was the last time the Cougars had a lead, however, as Saint Ambrose stormed back with consistent attacks up front. Despite defensive efforts from Lopez, and contributions from sophomore middle blocker Bradley Gadek, the Cougars dropped the second set 25-18.
Saint Xavier is a proud team that competes to the very end, but optimism is hard to find when the Cougars constantly find themselves behind two sets to none. Sean Barry had the final point for Saint Xavier on the day, but unfortunately for the Cougars it was not the game winner.
Saint Ambrose took the final set 25-15 and won the match. Saint Xavier dropped to 0-2 in the CCAC and 0-5 overall.
February 5, 2016: Saint Xavier University vs No. 9 Lourdes University (Ohio). The Cougars found themselves in another tough matchup against ninth ranked Lourdes University. After falling earlier in the week to Robert Morris and number eight Saint Ambrose, the Cougars were in danger of being outmatched yet again.
The first set certainly played to the aforementioned narrative, as Lourdes University dominated to a 25-12 victory. The sluggish, defeated demeanor carried by the Cougars in the first set suggested they should not be on the same floor as the number nine team in the nation.
The second set was a totally different story. If one is looking for positive points in a season that is filled with negatives for Saint Xavier Men’s volleyball, look no further than the effort put forth by the Cougars in the following set. The Cougars demonstrated why they should very well be on the same court as number nine Lourdes as the teams thrillingly exchanged points throughout the contest.
It looked as though Lourdes University simply packed in this win after winning the first set by 13, as there were a heavy amount of errors for a top 10 team. Sean Barry and Moises Lopez were all over the scoring sheet, and gave the Cougars a chance to steal the set. Saint Xavier owned a 24-23 lead with the ball in their court for game point.
Anticlimactically for the Cougars, Lourdes stormed back with three straight points and won the set 26-24. Lourdes University won the third set 25-17, but the score is not an indication of how close the game was. Saint Xavier fell behind by as many as nine and did not have enough to muster a comeback.
The Cougars are 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the CCAC. Saint Xavier has another tilt with Saint Ambrose University Tuesday, February 9 in Davenport, Iowa.
Mike Rankin
Sports Contributor