Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Playing in the first match of the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship Tournament, the No. 3 seeded Saint Xavier University men's volleyball team (29-3/14-0 CCAC) defeated No. 11 Bethel University (Ind.) in Pool C action in three sets (25-23, 25-22, 25-20) Tuesday morning at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Cougars tallied six service aces in the matching, giving the 270 on the season to set a new program record for aces in a season, breaking the previous record 266 established in 2022. The did so in 25 fewer sets (129 in 2022, 104 in 2026). Junior outside hitter
Caydann Cox (Helena, Mont./Jamestown/Jamestown) provided a balanced effort for SXU, collecting 11 kills, eight digs, four blocks, two service aces and an assist.
- Graduate student opposite hitter Matt Pennala (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach City/St. John Bosco) posted a match-best 13 kills, to go along with eight digs, an ace, an assist and a block.
- Junior opposite hitter/outside hitter Donte Jennings (Spokane Valley, Wash./Morningside/Jamestown/Central Valley) tallied nine kills on a .350 attack percentage (9-2-20) with a block.
- Junior setter Cameron Daniels (Omaha, Neb./Millard West) handed out a match-leading 32 assists, adding six digs, three blocks, a kill and a service ace.
- Freshman middle blocker Hayden Grange (Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills) totaled four kills, three blocks and a dig.
- Senior middle blocker Tysen Myers (Apple Valley, Minn./Jamestown/Eastview) recorded three blocks, three kills and an assist.
- Senior libero Andres Velez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico/St. Francis) tied for the team-lead with eight digs, and he had three assists.
- Freshman outside hitter Henry Truitt (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) chipped in a pair of aces.
No. 3 Saint Xavier (29-3/14-0 CCAC) plays No. 6 Mount Mercy University (Iowa), also the tournament host, on Thursday, April 30 at 10:00 am on the final day of Pool play.
