It’s a new year which means it is a new season for Saint Xavier University Men’s Volleyball but the new season is off to a really rough start.
The team has started the 2014 campaign with three straight losses without winning a single set in the process. Their competition has been incredibly stiff and left recovering on the ropes.
They played three straight ranked opponents to start out the season beginning with a game against then No. 4 ranked Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa on Jan. 11.
The team tasted defeat in its first game of the season losing in three sets 25-12, 25-16, and 25-22. The Cougars struggled to generate offense finishing with 17 kills but 14 attacking errors.
Senior outside hitter Justin Cousin led the Cougars in defeat with eight kills and two service aces.
Senior setter Jacob Siska also dished out 14 assists to go along with three aces.
The Cougars faced another top ten team on Tuesday Jan. 14 and the Cougars were again bested in three sets by a top ten team.
No. 10 ranked Clarke University defeated the Cougars in their home opener 25-18, 25-16, and 25-22. Cousin led the Cougars again with 15 kills.
Cousin did make history in his efforts last Tuesday night by getting his 600th kill which puts him in second all time behind Aaron Porter.
Siska had a great game finishing with 20 assists and 11 digs in defeat against the Crusaders. Sophomore middle blocker Sam Kull chipped in seven kills and six block assists.
SXU Men’s Volleyball was hoping third times the charm but it was not meant to be when they faced their third straight top ten opponent of the young season.
The team traveled to Davenport, Iowa to take on then No. 6 ranked Saint Ambrose University on Thursday Jan. 16.
They played tough but dropped their third straight match in three sets: 25-13, 27-25, and 25-23.
Siska who finished with 19 assists and 3 blocks on the night led the SXU attack. Senior middle blocker J.T. O’Connell was impressive with six kills and eight blocks.
The Cougars are coming of a disappointing 6-21 season including a 3-9 conference record and have started this season off on the wrong foot.
It is not time to hit the panic button yet though as the Cougars still have winnable games coming up as they start making their way into conference play and it is still very early in the season.
Returning players such as Justin Cousin and stellar setter Jacob Siska will give the Cougars solid leadership and experience.
The team will play its first conference game on Jan. 21 on the road against Robert Morris University.
The Cougars will looking for the first road win in some time as they went 0-11 last season.
In fact the team has won only one true road game in the last two seasons and that was at Robert Morris University back on Jan. 23rd of 2012.
Their next home game for Cougar fans that were wondering is a rematch on Jan. 29 against Saint Ambrose University. The Cougars have struggled so far this season but the team could use all the fan support they can get from their home crowd. So come out and support the team as they try with all their might to play better this season and make it deeper in the conference tournament.
Damone Griffin
Sports Editor