Statesmen upset No. 10 Saint Xavier | Sports

QUINCY, Unwell. — For the initial time in software history, the William Penn men’s volleyball teamed earned a victory about a nationally ranked opponent, coming absent with a win about the No. 10 Saint Xavier Cougars to close out their weekend. The Statesmen gained in 5 sets in excess of the Cougars, who competent for the nationwide event past season, by scores of 25-21, 21-25, 26-24, 17-25, 16-14.

The opening set promptly swung in favor of the navy in gold with Ike Papes (Jr., Elwood, Unwell., Enterprise Management) leaving his mark immediately, earning a get rid of and two aces to support get a 5-1 lead. They continued to put the pressure on the Cougars, as Papes was joined by Landon Krause (So., Appleton, Wis., Sporting activities Management) in the early goings to help build the lead. Saint Xavier did make a late comeback try, bringing the rating in just one particular at 23-22, but a kill from Eli Herro (Jr., Dousman, Wis., Business enterprise Administration) and then a blended block from Charlie Figy (So., Appleton, Wis., Athletics Administration) and CJ Rettig (Jr., Sierra Madre, Calif., Bodily Education and learning) sealed the very first established.

Papes began the next set with a get rid of, but the Cougars rapidly captured momentum back on their aspect, using a 10-6 guide to pressure a William Penn timeout. The navy and gold pushed back again, bringing the deficit to a person issue on various events, but could not pretty get around the hump as Saint Xavier surged late to pull absent, evening the match at 1-1.

The Statesmen took the early guide to start out the 3rd, but had the lead taken from them at about the midway level of the set as SXU took a 14-12 guide, but the navy and gold strike proper again, heading on a operate to guide 19-16. Following the rating was knotted at 19, the two groups found on their own tied at each individual change up until finally the rating was 24-24, when Figy and Papes landed consecutive kills to give the Statesmen a 2-1 gain in the match.

Seeking to safe the victory, William Penn jumped out to an 8-5 direct in the potential last established. The Cougars experienced other plans, nonetheless, and utilized a range of runs to pressure a fifth and remaining established. The Statesmen just could not string just about anything alongside one another, and now observed them selves in a do-or-die situation in established five.

Right after Krause acquired the scoring started off, a variety of unforced mistakes from Saint Xavier boosted the Statesmen to a 7-3 lead, forcing a Cougars’ timeout. The website visitors rallied to practically tie the rating, but the navy and gold pulled absent as soon as yet again, earning match place at 14-12 after another eliminate from Krause, but one particular far more late rally evened the score at 14-14. The Statesmen responded effectively to the tension, and Figy and Krause shut out the video game with a pair of kills.

Krause led the offense with 18 kills and a .417 attacking proportion, also pacing the defensive effort and hard work with 13 digs. Papes complemented him with 14 kills, whilst Herro and Rettig included seven and six, respectively.

Connor Muff (Sr., Kenosha, Wis., Business Administration) dealt with setting obligations, earning an aid on 42 of the team’s 49 kills in the match. He also concluded tied with Carlos Garcia (Jr., Laredo, Texas, Biology)for 2nd on the workforce in digs with 8.

“Good win right now for Statesmen MVB,” stated Head Coach Luke Bentley. “Not only did we pull out a good match against a fantastic opponent, our group defeat a top rated 10 staff for the initial time ever. I am so delighted for our men and how difficult they have labored. They deserve all the credit rating.”

What’s Upcoming: The Statesmen kick off a extensive homestand on Tuesday with a conference clash in opposition to the Mount Mercy Mustangs. To start with provide is scheduled for 7 p.m.