The Cougars did not have the best start to their season last week, but they were determined to put that game behind them and move forward.
Coming off a rough loss to the Dominican University Stars, the Men’s Volleyball team defeated the St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees in five thrilling sets.
Since the start of the Men’s Volleyball team at Saint Xavier, they have not won a game against the Fighting Bees
That all changed on Tuesday night in Davenport, Iowa.
This is the first time in the program’s history that they won against the Bees.
Three Cougars that made huge impacts on the game were Junior outside hitter Jake Olson, Sophomore middle blocker Mike Burci, and Sophomore middle blocker Ben Gabor.
Olson led this pack by leading the team with 14 kills and 7 digs on the night. Burci recorded his own 12 kills and 4 solo blocks.
Gabor wads not too far behind recording 10 kills of his own. The team recorded a hitting-percentage high of .364.
The Cougars fell a little bit short in the first two sets losing to the Bees 25-22 and 25-17.
During the first set, the Cougars were trailing 14-9, until they rallied with an 8-3 run to tie the game at 17 apiece. This run was possible after the Bees recorded six errors.
The first set was neck and neck tying the game at 20, until the Bees scored five straight points the claim the first set.
This energy from the first set carried on into the second set for the Fighting Bees. The Cougars did manage to come within one, but that gap grew towards the end of the second set.
The real action started during the third set. The Cougars were trailing 16-22 and the Bees were three points away from winning the match.
Olson would attack during the next play, which would then start a five point run for the Cougars.
The Bees responded with two points of their own to make this a 24-22 set. Until Burci played off of a hitting error from the Bees and recording the next two points tying the set.
Thanks to another error, Gabor recorded another kill for the night to win the Cougars first set 26-24. The Cougars did not stop there.
In fact, they were leading the start of the fourth set 6-1 against the Bees.
The Bees started to feel the pressure when the Cougars led 22-13, which was their biggest lead of the night.
The next seven out of nine points were made by the Bees, but the Cougars would force a fifth set after Senior middle blocker Brad Gadek sealed the deal.
The Cougars came out swinging as Olson picked up another kill and an ace to have the Cougars leading 5-2.
The Bees would answer back with a 5-1 run taking the lead 11-10. After more errors from the Bees, the Cougars quickly took the lead back.
Olson’s 14th kill of the night got the Cougars the win.
This is the first win of season for the Cougars in their early season.
Their overall record is 1-1 and their conference record is 1-0.
The Cougars have their first home game next Wednesday when they host Clarke University.
The first serve is scheduled for 6:30 pm. Come out and support the Men’s Volleyball team!
Christine Manika
Sports Columnist
Upcoming Schedule
1/31 vs. Clarke University @ 6:30 p.m
2/1 vs. #10 Robert Morris University @ 7:00 p.m.
2/6 @ Judson University @ 7:00 p.m.
2/8 vs. #8 Cardinal Stritch University