The Saint Xavier University Men’s Volleyball team looked to continue their successful season during Spring Break. They entered the break with a 13-4 record and had to play two games, one against Robert Morris University and the other against Judson University.
On March 12th, the Cougars kicked off their Spring Break schedule by playing the Robert Morris Eagles. The Eagles entered the game with a 13-11 record and jumped out to an early 13-8 lead in the first set.
However, they seemed to fall apart shortly afterwards and allowed SXU to take a 22-16 lead. Three more kills from the Cougars lead to Saint Xavier winning the first set 25-16. The Cougars carried over their dominance into the second half, going up 8-4 at one point. The Eagles managed to fight back and cut the SXU lead to just two halfway through the set.
However, the Cougars managed to pull away and eventually win the second set 25-19. In the third and final set, the Eagles managed to jump out to an early 5-1 lead, but SXU squashed that and eventually took a 7-5 lead. Robert Morris managed to fight back and take a 17-13 lead, but it was all downhill from there. Saint Xavier completely dominated the rest of the third set, eventually winning it 25-20. The Cougars improved to 14-4 with the victory, while Robert Morris fell to 13- 12 with the loss.
Saint Xavier next played on March 14th when they played Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. The Judson Eagles entered the game with a 7-12 record. The first set began with both teams trading leads. However, Judson pulled away near the end of the first set and eventually won it 25-17. The second half started with both teams trading leads, but the Cougars eventually took control with an 18-15 lead. However, the Eagles pulled away and eventually won the second set 25-21.
In the potentially decisive third set, Judson looked to end things early by jumping out to a 10-6 lead, but SXU fought back and tied the game at 16. The Eagles managed to only get one more point, while the Cougars scored nine more and eventually won the set 25-17. In the fourth and final set, the Cougars looked to use some of their momentum from the third set to try to force a fifth set.
It was a very back and forth beginning to the set, with both teams eventually ending up being tied 10-10. However, Judson eventually re-took the lead and eventually finished things off, winning the fourth set 25-18. SXU fell to 14-5 with the loss, while Judson improved to 8-12 with the victory.
The Cougars play twice next week, both in the SXU-TCC Crossover event. Saint Xavier starts the event on March 22nd, when they play the ninth best team in the country, Mount Mercy University, at the Shannon Center. The Cougars wrap up the SXU-TCC Crossover when they play Cumberland University on March 23rd. Despite a bad loss to a bad team, the Saint Xavier Men’s Volleyball team still looks like they can go far in the postseason.
Chris Leonchik
Sports Editor