| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Xavier (IL) (6-8, 3-0) | 21 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (IL) (6-11, 2-1) | 25 | 17 | 16 | 22 | 1 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Playing in front of their home crowd for the first time this season, the Olivet Nazarene University women's volleyball team was unable to maintain a fast start as they fell to Saint Xavier 25-21, 17-25, 16-25, 22-25 Tuesday night in McHie Arena.
The Tigers came out of the gates fast, claiming the opening set thanks to a late surge sparked by Naomi Monney-Hori. With ONU up 21-18 late, the sophomore outside hitter put down back-to-back kills, which was followed up by a Sabrina Sanif and Ella Johnson block that put the Tigers at set point. Monney-Hori sealed the opener a few points later by roofing a block with Sanif to put the Purple & Yellow Gold in the driver's seat.
But that was where the firepower ran out. Olivet began the second set with a slight one-point advantage early on a Kaitlyn Kolb kill, but Saint Xavier (6-8, 3-0 CCAC) went on a big run to open up a double-digit lead midway through the set.
The Tigers never really recovered from there, with the third set following a similar script. ONU regained their composure in the fourth set, with a Halle Nicholas kill putting the Tigers in front 11-10 midway through. But a four-point surge from the Cougars sealed the set and the match, handing the Tigers their first loss in conference play.
Kolb was the lone Tiger to reach double figures in kills, finishing the match with 11. Nicholas racked up nine, Monney-Hori recorded eight, and Sanif tabbed nine. Kaylee Cozen (three), Johnson (one), and Ava Smith (one) all combined for five kills.
Kate Worthy led the team with 21 assists and Johnson chipped in 14. Breanna Lamie anchored the back row with a match-high 26 digs.
The Tigers, now 6-11 overall and 2-1 in CCAC play, will stay put in McHie Arena to host Viterbo next Tuesday, Sept. 24.
--ONU—
*Contact: Evan Wild, Sports Information Director, ewwild@olivet.edu
