Saint Xavier Three-Sweeps In Men's Volleyball Weekly Awards

CHICAGO --- Saint Xavier University earned its third sweep of Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference men's volleyball honors on Tuesday when Matt Pennala (Long Beach, Calif.), Andres Velez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) and Cameron Daniels (Omaha, Neb.) were recognized by the league office for their performances during the seven-day period between March 17-23. 

Besides being named the CCAC Attacker of the Week for the third time this season, Pennala was also honored at the NAIA national level with the same distinction.  He averaged 5.0 kills per set over his two matches with a .349 hitting clip, nine digs, five service aces and another five blocks across seven sets.

The senior outside hitter authored a Saint Xavier single-match record of 28 kills (7.0 per set) via a .360 attacking clip with six digs, his five blocks and two aces in a four-set win over NAIA No. 10 Cornerstone University (Mich.) on Saturday.  He added another seven kills, three aces and three digs last Wednesday in a three-set win over Calumet St. Joseph.

Velez matched Pennala with his third CCAC honor of the campaign, claiming the league's defender award.  He averaged 3.6 digs per set and made good on 24 of his 25 reception chances.

The junior libero became the program's all-time leader in career digs with his match-high 19 in the Cornerstone contest.  On that same night, he connected on 20-of-21 passes and had two aces.

Against Calumet St. Joseph, Velez provided six digs and four receptions.

Daniels, meanwhile, produced his fifth CCAC Setter of the Week award after averaging 10.3 assists and 1.9 digs per set to go along with one block and one ace.  The sophomore put up a career-best 54 assists (13.5 avg.) and seven digs versus Cornerstone, while totaling 18 assists and six digs versus Calumet St. Joseph.

Saint Xavier remains unbeaten both overall (18-0) and in conference (7-0) and holds to the No. 2 spot in the NAIA national rankings.

Other Attacker Nominees: Brody McAfee (Olivet Nazarene), Ethan Davis (Viterbo), Francis Hauze (Calumet St. Joseph), Pedro Zang (St. Ambrose).

Other Defender Nominees: Reshawn Allen (Calumet St. Joseph), Max Dugan (Viterbo), Jackson Harvey (Olivet Nazarene), Ethan Karban (St. Ambrose).

Other Setter Nominees: Logan Amdur (Viterbo), Anthony Anderson (St. Ambrose), Tomas Gonzalez (Olivet Nazarene), Brayden Richardson (Calumet St. Joseph).