Cedar Rapids, Iowa – The No. 3 seeded Saint Xavier University men's volleyball team (31-3/14-0 CCAC) took down the defending national champions No. 2 The Master's University (Calif.) in four sets 25-23, 21-25, 25-19, 25-23) to advance to the NAIA Men's Volleyball National Championship match for the second year in a row Friday evening at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Cougars, who lost the TMU in the national championship a season ago, will take on No. 1 Park University (Mo.) in the title match on Saturday, May 2 at 5:00 pm. Junior outside hitter
Caydann Cox (Helena, Mont./Jamestown/Jamestown) led SXU with 17 kills on an efficient .400 attack percentage (17-1-40) with seven digs, a team-best four blocks (one solo) and two service aces. It is the first time in school history that a program has played in the NAIA National Championship in consecutive seasons, and the men's volleyball program is the first to play for a title more than once.
- Senior middle blocker Tysen Myers (Apple Valley, Minn./Jamestown/Eastview) was tough at the net, coming away with 10 kills on a stellar .600 attack percentage (10-1-15). He added two blocks and an assist.
- Junior setter Cameron Daniels (Omaha, Neb./Millard West) guided the Saint Xavier offense, producing 40 assists with five digs, two kills and an ace.
- Graduate student opposite hitter Matt Pennala (Long Beach, Calif./Long Beach City/St. John Bosco) collected nine kills, five digs, an assist and a block.
- Junior opposite hitter/outside hitter Donte Jennings (Spokane Valley, Wash./Morningside/Jamestown/Central Valley) tallied eight digs, eight kills and two assists.
- Senior libero Andres Velez (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico/St. Francis) finished with a team-best 11 digs, along with four assists.
- Freshman middle blocker Hayden Grange (Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills) recorded seven kills on a .500 attack percentage (7-1-12) with a season-high tying three digs and a pair of blocks
- Freshman outside hitter Henry Truitt (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) chipped in a service ace.
No. 3 Saint Xavier (31-3/14-0 CCAC) takes on No. 1 Park for the NAIA National Championship on Saturday afternoon.
