| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rockford University (3-3) | 18 | 6 | 18 | 0 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (5-2) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bryant & Stratton (1-2) | 18 | 15 | 13 | 0 |
|
Olivet Nazarene (6-2) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – The Olivet Nazarene University men's volleyball team returned to winning ways claiming wins in both matches of the tri-match against Rockford and Bryant & Stratton in straight sets.
First Match: Olivet Nazarene 3, Rockford 0
The Tigers took on Rockford University in their first contest of the tri-match, and the Tigers got out to a red-hot start to roll to a 25-18, 25-6, 25-18 straight-set victory. The Tigers jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the first after going on a 6-0 run courtesy of three straight service aces from James Ballance. The early momentum carried the Tigers to take the early 1-0 lead.
ONU had their most dominant set of the season holding Rockford to only 6 points in the second. A 13-1 run was too much for RU to climb back from. The run saw Kahaku Marquez go on an eight-point serve streak to put the second set away. Olivet closed out the match by jumping out to another early 10-4 lead in the third. Sam Molitor's kill for match point completed the three-set sweep.
The Tigers held the visitors to a .000 kill percentage for the match. Conversely, Jake Ostema hit for an efficient .857 kill percentage with six kills from seven total attacks. ONU as a team recorded 12 services aces with Ballance and Jaiton Kamaunu each tallying three each. Cade Ooms led all players with 10.5 points.
Second Match: Olivet Nazarene 3, Bryant & Stratton 0
The two sides went back and forth trading points to find themselves tied 13-13 midway through. Thoralf Schmelzer ignited a 6-2 run which included two service aces and a kill to take control of the set. Bryant & Stratton fought off three straight set points before Kahaku Marquez registered a kill to put ONU ahead in the match, 1-0.
The Tigers led the entire way in the second set. Olivet benefited from a 7-2 run early on and ended the set on a 6-1 run to take set No. 2. The Tigers wasted no time in putting the match away in the third. The home side finished off Bryant & Stratton with a 7-1 run and held them to only 13 points scored. Jaiton Kamaunu put the exclamation point on the day with a service ace for match-point.
WHAT'S NEXT
ONU will return to CCAC conference play with a midweek match against the reigning conference champions, Saint Xavier. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. CT start at the Shannon Center in Chicago, Ill. this Tuesday, Feb. 7. Please visit ONUTigers.com for all the links to follow the action.
--ONU—
*Contact Patrick Kaindl; Sports Information Graduate Assistant, email pkaindl@olivet.edu
