Saint Xavier (Ill.) Outlasts Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) to Win First Match in Pool B
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa
In a high-stakes showdown at the NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship, No. 2 Saint Xavier (Ill.) Cougars emerged victorious against No. 10 Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.) Redhawks with a nail-biting 3-2 win in pool play at the Alliant Energy Power House in Cedar Rapids.
SXU, maintaining its perfect season with a 29-0 record, faced an inspired BenU team that pushed them to the limit. The match scores were 25-22, 31-29, 25-27, 21-25, and 15-12, highlighting the competitive nature of the match. Benedictine Mesa is only the second team to push Saint Xavier to five sets. The last time the Cougars were forced into a fifth set was back in January against Indiana Tech.
The Redhawks started strong, challenging Saint Xavier in the first set but ultimately falling short with a 22-25 loss. The second set extended into extra points, with Saint Xavier narrowly securing a 31-29 victory. Benedictine Mesa fought back in the third set, taking it 27-25, and continued their momentum in the fourth set, winning 25-21. However, Saint Xavier’s determination and tactical prowess shone through in the decisive fifth set, where they clinched the match with a 15-12 win.
Individually, Benedictine Mesa’s Dapre Rogers stood out, leading his team with 26 kills and a hitting percentage of .246. Landon Fuller also contributed significantly with 20 kills and a .245 hitting percentage. Rogers and Fuller both recorded double-doubles with 20+ kills and 14 & 11 digs, respectively. The pair also contributed four of the Redhawks five aces. John Jakaitis and Josh Beymer led the defensive effort at the net, contributing four total blocks each, Beymer with four assisted blocks and Jakaitis with three assisted and one solo block.
For Saint Xavier, Matt Pennala was a key performer, amassing 27 kills with a .295 hitting percentage, while Caydann Cox added 22 kills and hit .391. The pair posted double-doubles as Pennala had 13 digs and Cox had 10, along with their 20+ kills. Pennala and Cox combined for six of the teams seven aces. Alessandro Gianotti led the defensive effort at the net with four (three assisted) of the Cougars seven total blocks.
Both teams will play one more match in Pool B at 1 p.m. CT on the following days:
April 30, 7 Grand View (Iowa) vs 10 Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.)
May 1, 2 Saint Xavier (Ill.) vs 10 Grand View (Iowa)