Saint Xavier Sweeps Men's Volleyball Weekly Accolades

CHICAGO --- Saint Xavier made it a clean sweep of Week 2 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Volleyball Player of the Week honors courtesy of the play of Matt Pennala (Long Beach, Calif.), Andres Velez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) and Cameron Daniels (Omaha, Neb.) during the seven-day period ending Feb. 16, the league office announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Pennala was recognized as the CCAC Attacker of the Week after hitting at a .447 clip and averaging 4.5 kills per set over his two matches played.  He also recorded 10 assists, six service aces and seven digs in the six sets.

In a three-set victory over NAIA No. 7 Benedictine University (Ariz.) on Friday, the senior outside hitter totaled 16 kills (5.33 average) via a .667 attack percentage with three digs.  Three nights earlier, he registered 11 kills, seven assists, five aces and four digs in a straight-set defeat of league foe Olivet Nazarene University.

Velez, meanwhile, claimed his second straight CCAC Defender of the Week award after averaging 3.5 digs and making only one error in 19 total reception attempts (.947).  The junior libero had 14 receptions and 12 digs in the win over Olivet Nazarene on Tuesday before totaling nine digs and four receptions versus Benedictine.

Daniels finished off the sweep with his CCAC Setter of the Week recognition.  He averaged 8.67 assists in the two victories, while also netting four aces and nine digs.

The sophomore setter had a big match on Friday when he totaled 34 assists (11.3 avg.) and three digs versus Benedictine.  Against Olivet Nazarene, he produced 18 assists, six digs and four aces.

The No. 2 team in the nation, Saint Xavier is 8-0 overall and 1-0 versus league competition.   

Other Attacker Nominees: Kam Dixon (St. Ambrose), Francis Hauze (Calumet St. Joseph), Alex Kratzenstein (Viterbo), Brody McAfee (Olivet Nazarene).

Other Defender Nominees: Jack Peroz (Viterbo), Francis Hauze (Calumet St. Joseph), Kahaku Marquez (Olivet Nazarene).

Other Setter Nominees: Tomas Gonzalez (Olivet Nazarene), Logan Amdur (Viterbo), Aria Moen (Calumet St. Joseph).