Cougars Hand Mustangs Their First Loss of the Season in Chicago

CHICAGO, Ill - Mount Mercy's men's volleyball team suffered their first loss of the season to the Saint Xavier Cougars on Friday night. Despite taking the first set 25-22, the Mustangs fell to the Cougars in the next three sets, 25-15, 25-22, and 25-17.

The Mustangs started the match strong, winning set one 25-22 with an efficient .276 hitting percentage, narrowly surpassing the Cougars' .259 hitting percentage. However, momentum shifted in set two, as the Cougars hit .429 while limiting the Mustangs to just five kills and a -.143 hitting percentage. The Cougars continued to control play, securing set three 25-22 and set four 25-17 to claim the 3-1 victory.

Gabor Toth led the Mustangs with 10 kills, followed by Brian Lynch with nine. Raphael Massara and Guglielmo Illotti contributed six kills each. Gustavo Bauer facilitated the offense with 31 assists.

Matt Pennala led the Cougars with 12 kills on 15 attack attempts, hitting an impressive .800. Caydann Cox, Oskar Krzyzak, and Sean Carey each recorded nine kills in the match.

Saint Xavier maintained an efficient offensive performance, finishing with a team .259 hitting percentage compared to the Mustangs' .090.

The Mustangs will return to action on February 1 as they travel to face Trinity Christian on the road at 2:00 p.m.