BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Olivet Nazarene University's men's volleyball team won 3-2 (25-21, 16-25, 22-25, 25-17, 15-4) at home in the CCAC Semifinal against Viterbo University on Thursday. A strong finish in the fifth set and balanced team play helped the Tigers outlast the V-Hawks and move on to their first appearance in the CCAC Championship game in program history.

ONU edged ahead in a tight first set behind kills from Brody McAfee and a block by Kahaku Marquez and Jackson Harvey. An attack error from the Tigers tied the score at 6-6, but they bounced back quickly behind a pair of service aces from Tyler Van Laten to ignite a 7-1 run. Viterbo battled back to even things at 21-all, but ONU closed strong with a McAfee kill and a service ace from Max Rodenmeyer. Marquez and Harvey combined for a block to seal the set. The Tigers took the opener 25-21.

McAfee opened the third set with a pair of kills to pace ONU early, and Gonzalez added back-to-back assists to Patrick Ray that tied the score at 10-10. The Tigers stayed close behind kills from Marquez and Harvey, as well as a block from Marquez and Byers. Kamaunu chipped in with a kill and a forced error, but Viterbo maintained a narrow edge throughout. Late kills from McAfee and a block from Marquez and Harvey trimmed the deficit to 24-22. However, the V-Hawks closed it out on the next rally to take the set 25-22. 

ONU kept the pressure on in the fourth, riding steady offense and key serves to stay in control. Marquez tied the set at 7 with a service ace, and Rodenmeyer helped spark a 6-0 run with a service ace of his own. McAfee and Kamaunu added kills while the Tigers capitalized on Viterbo errors to extend their lead. Garrett Schad and Marquez came up big late, with back-to-back points to close out the frame. ONU took the set 25-17 to even the match at two sets apiece.

ONU slammed the door shut in the fifth set, dominating from the service line and at the net to cap off the match. After falling behind 2-0, the Tigers rattled off seven straight points behind a pair of kills from Kamaunu, a solo block by McAfee, and a roof from Harvey. Marquez added a kill to keep the momentum rolling before Van Laten closed the match with a run of five straight points, including a service ace to end it. ONU outscored Viterbo 15-2 after the opening stretch, showing total control in the deciding set.

McAfee led all players with 16 kills, Kamaunu followed with 10, and Marquez added 9 to go along with a match-high nine blocks. Tomas Gonzalez dished out 27 assists, while Rodenmeyer and Van Laten combined for five aces.

Looking Ahead

ONU moves on to the CCAC Championship match against Saint Xavier Saturday afternoon at the Shannon Center.

—ONU—

*Contact Anyssa Hampton, Sports Information Graduate Assistant, ahampton@olivet.edu