Top Seeds Saint Xavier, Olivet Nazarene To Battle For Men's Volleyball Crown On Saturday
CHICAGO/BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- No. 6-seeded Viterbo University nearly pulled off its second upset of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Volleyball Tournament before No. 2 Olivet Nazarene University rallied, while top-seeded Saint Xavier University cruised to its 27th win in a row with a straight-set nod over No. 5 Calumet College of St. Joseph in semifinal-round action on Thursday night.
Olivet Nazarene used 25-17 and 15-4 victories in the final two sets to prevail over the pesky V-Hawks, who won Sets 2 and 3 (25-16, 25-22) after dropping the first game 25-21. Saint Xavier, meanwhile, required just 67 minutes to dash any upset thoughts by Calumet St. Joseph.
That sets up a showdown between the top two teams in the league for the tournament title on Saturday at 1 pm. Olivet Nazarene comes in with a 15-12 record, while Saint Xavier stands at 27-0. During the regular season. Saint Xavier won both matches in the minimum three games.
The winner earns the conference's automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament April 29-May 3 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Recapping Thursday:
Olivet Nazarene def. Viterbo 25-21, 16-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-4
Viterbo continued its playoff surprise by taking a 2-1 lead before the Tigers got serious and derailed the V-Hawks' plans for a second straight postseason upset. Those that keyed the ONU resurgence were Brody McAfee (16 kills, 13 digs), Jaiton Kamaunu (10 kills, 5 blocks), Kahaku Marquez (9 kills, 9 blocks) and Jackson Harvey (8 blocks). As a team, the Tigers outhit the V-Hawks .231-.139 and totaled 15 blocks to VU's seven. Viterbo was led by Ethan Davis' 23 kills and nine blocks. Alex Kratzenstein added 15 kills.
Saint Xavier def. Calumet St. Joseph 25-14, 25-18, 25-10
A difference of nearly 400 points in the attacking column made for another decisive victory for Saint Xavier, which outhit the Crimson Wave, .390-minus .029. Matt Pennala led the Cougar charge offensively with his 12 kills, while Cameron Daniels produced game-highs of 30 assists and four blocks. Francis Hauze led CCSJ with 10 kills.
The complete tournament schedule and results follow:
Tuesday, April 15 - First Round
• Match #1: No. 5 Calumet St. Joseph def. No. 4 Judson 25-18, 25-22, 25-23
• Match #2: No. 6 Viterbo def. No. 3 St. Ambrose (14-15) 25-17, 26-24, 17-25, 22-25, 15-8
Thursday, April 17 - Semifinal Round (at site of highest remaining seed)
• Match #3: No. 2 Olivet Nazarene def. No. 6 Viterbo 25-21, 16-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-4
• Match #4: No. 1 Saint Xavier def. No. 5 Calumet St. Joseph 25-14, 25-18, 25-10
Saturday, April 19 – Championship (at site of highest remaining seed)
• Match #5: No. 2 Olivet Nazarene (15-12) at No. 1 Saint Xavier (27-0) --- 1 pm