PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – The OUAZ men's volleyball team made history on Saturday in completing a sweep of Campbellsville and earning the school's first national title in a team sport. The win capped a perfect 4-0 trip to NCCAA National Tournament.
 
After seeing little resistance in pool play, OUAZ (5-1) battled to a 25-17, 26-24, 25-17 win in the championship match to bring home the banner. The Spirit recorded a season-high 42 kills in the final and they closed out the win with 16 kills and .438 hitting in the final set.
 
OUAZ took the first set by scoring the final five points in forcing four straight Campbellsville (3-4) hitting errors. The second set featured 13 ties and five lead changes. The Spirit led 24-22 before needing blocks on consecutive points to close out the win. The final frame saw OUAZ race out to a 6-2 lead and never look back in winning the crown.
 
James Yahner and Jacob Vander Beek had 13 kills and seven digs apiece in the win. Vander Beek also contributed two blocks and two service aces against Campbellsville. Andrew de'Leon handed out 37 assists and Joaquin Santa Cruz led the way with 14 digs.
 
OUAZ held the Tigers to 25 kills and .078 hitting. They had 42 digs and eight blocks along with a 6-1 edge in aces.
 
In the day's first match, OUAZ advanced to the championship match by sweeping Greenville 25-14, 25-14, 25-22 and winning Pool A. Vander Beek had 15 kills to lead a Spirit offense that posted 39 kills and hit .403 as a team.
 
Bryan Ilena was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player after recording 28 kills and 13 blocks with .440 hitting during the Spirit's four wins. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by de'Leon.
 
With a national title run complete, OUAZ now turns its attention to a run at the Golden State Athletic Conference regular season championship. That quest begins on Friday when the Spirit host Hope International at Willow Canyon High School at 7 p.m.