Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Behind a career-high 26 kills on a stellar .463 attack percentage (26-1-54) from junior outside hitter
Caydann Cox (Helena, Mont./Jamestown/Jamestown), the No. 3 seeded Saint Xavier University men's volleyball team (29-3/14-0 CCAC) advanced to the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship Tournament Semifinals for the third year in a row after a thrilling 3-2 victory (22-25, 25-16, 22-25, 25-13, 15-13) over No. 6 Mount Mercy University (Iowa) to win Pool C Thursday morning at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was the third time in his career with the Cougars, and first this season, that Cox had 20 or more kills in a match. He added six digs, three blocks (one solo), and a match-best three service aces. The 26 kills from Cox are tied for the fourth-most in single-match history, and the second-highest mark at the national tournament. He collected 31.0 points, third-best in team history, and the most ever for an SXU player at nationals.
Saint Xavier was tough at the net, coming away with a season-high 16.0 blocks (24 assists, four solos), with senior middle blocker
Tysen Myers (Apple Valley, Minn./Jamestown/Eastview) leading the way with a season-high nine (one solo). The Cougars finished with 66 kills on a .307 attack percentage (66-16-163), second most this season. SXU gained a measure of revenge in the win over the Mustangs, as the led 2-1 at MMU on March 13 before losing in five sets. Saint Xavier turned the tables, coming back from a 2-1 deficit on Thursday. With the win, the Cougars have won 30 or more matches for the second consecutive season.
- Graduate student opposite hitter Matt Pennala (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach City/St. John Bosco) recorded the match-winning kill, finishing with 15. He also had nine digs, five blocks, an ace and an assist.
- Junior opposite hitter/outside hitter Donte Jennings (Spokane Valley, Wash./Morningside/Jamestown/Central Valley) tied his season-high with 10 kills while adding a season-best 10 digs for his first double-double of the campaign. He added three blocks and a pair of assists.
- Junior setter Cameron Daniels (Omaha, Neb./Millard West) logged 58 assists, second-most in his career, with 12 digs for his second double-double in 2026. He also had three blocks (one solo) and three kills.
- Myers finished with eight kills on a .421 attack percentage (8-0-19).
- Senior libero Andres Velez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico/St. Francis) scooped up a team-leading 15 digs, his 12th match with 10 or more digs this season, with two assists and a service ace.
- Freshman middle blocker Hayden Grange (Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills) totaled five blocks (one solo), four kills, an ace and an assist.
- Freshman outside hitter Henry Truitt (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) added a pair of digs and a service ace, his 40th of the year.
No. 3 Saint Xavier (30-3/14-0 CCAC) awaits its opponent for the semifinals. There could be a three-team playoff to determine the winner of Pool B or the Cougars could play No. 2 The Master's University (Calif.) in a re-match of last season's national championship match if TMU wins Thursday afternoon. The semifinal contest is scheduled for a 7:30 pm start on Friday, May 1.
