Well who didn’t the Men’s Volleyball team play this week. This was probably the busiest week of the 2017-2018 Season.
In fact, two out of the three matches were conference related. The two conference matchups were Robert Morris University and Judson University at the start of the week.
With the Robert Morris Eagles, the Cougars fell short and lost in three straight sets. A few days later against the Judson Eagles, the Cougars came up on top sweeping the Eagles.
The next day the Cougars played non-conference rival the Quincy University Hawks and the result was not what the Cougars had in mind. Let’s recap what happened with the Hawks on Friday night.
The Cougars did not have the best start. The Hawks attacked first with the early 7-2 lead. This lead for the Hawks would continue throughout the first set.
The Cougars could not get more than a two-point rally going. They lose the first set to the Hawks 25-16.
It did not take long for the Cougars to bounce back in the second set. The Cougars took advantage of three errors on Quincy’s side.
Sophomore middle blocker Mike Burci and sophomore setter Aaron Kummer recorded a block for the Cougars to give them the 5-2 lead.
The Hawks did not let the Cougars get too comfortable with this lead. Quincy would tie the set with ten a piece with a couple of quick kills.
Later, the Hawks would make a 16-14 run during the second set. Sophomore middle blocker Ben Gabor had an answer to Quincy’s run with an ace.
Burci would follow Gabor’s kill with an ace of his own putting the Cougars back on top with a 20-18 lead.
Unfortunately, Quincy would lead the rest of the second set after a 7-2 run beating the Cougars 25-22.
The Cougars were not about to give up yet. They started strong with an early 3-2 lead over the Hawks after a kill from Gabor off of a hitting error from the Hawks.
The Hawks did not let the Cougars enjoy the lead for long. After a scoring six points in a row, the Hawks take the 8-3 lead in the third set.
The Hawks pretty much took the lead for the rest of the third set. However, the Cougars fought to the finish and even tied up the set at one point.
Going on a three-point run, the Cougars tied up the set at seventeen after a kill from senior middle blocker Tom Matonis.
The Hawks took the lead back very quickly with a five point run taking the 22-17 lead. The Hawks would take the set and the game ending with a 25-20 score.
The Saint Xavier men’s volleyball season is almost coming to a close, but there are still conference games ahead like Trinity Christian College and Cardinal Stritch University.
The Cougars have an overall record of 6-8 and a CCAC record of 4-5. The season is not over yet Cougar Nation!
Upcoming Schedule
March 20th, 2018
7:00 PM
Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Ind.
March 27th, 2018
7:00 PM
Trinity Christian College in the Shannon Center
March 29th, 2018
7:00 PM
(9)Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Christine Manika
Sports Columnist