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OUAZ Athletics

MVB_03/01/25
MVB_03/01/25
1
OUAZ OUAZ 2-4, 0-0
3
Winner Jessup University JESSUP U 6-3, 0-0
OUAZ OUAZ
2-4, 0-0
1
Final
3
Jessup University JESSUP U
6-3, 0-0
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
OUAZ OUAZ 25 15 25 27 (1)
Jessup University JESSUP U 27 25 18 29 (3)

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball | | Jas Singh

OUAZ Lose Complete Nailbiter to Jessup University

Aliso Viejo, Calif- OUAZ men's volleyball played the last road game of their Southern California road trip against division two Jessup University. Jessup University is led by former OUAZ head coach Kyle Steele who started the program in 2017 and has accounted for 112 wins plus 3 consecutive trips to the NAIA National Championships. The Warriors unfortunately came out on top in a marrow victory (25-27) (15-25) (25-18) (27-29). The loss puts the Spirit at 2-4 overall in non conference play.

Horatio Maumasi led all OUAZ hitters with 12 kills. The sophomore middle continues his hot stretch with a huge increase in volume, which has led to opposing teams trying to add 2 blockers to almost all of his swings. Senior team captain Caeden Salmen, had a tremendously efficient game with 11 kills totaling a .381 hitting percentage which was the highest on the team. Salmen, who had a huge rise in the second half of last year is due for a huge senior season and expected to be one of the most versatile outside hitters in the GSAC. Corey Johnson added 10 kills from the oppo along with 3 digs. The Ottawa Kansas transfer is expected to cause some havoc in conference play on the right side after being held out all of last year due to a shoulder injury. Owen Draeger continues to be a force to be reckoned with defensively with 3 block assists and 2 solo blocks of his own. The freshman will likely be one of the best newcomers in all of NAIA volleyball with his size and athleticism.

Today's game was a tight knit contest in almost every set and proved to be the highly competitive contest many anticipated. The Spirit grew a nice lead in set 1 after back to back Maumasi swings put the team at game point 24-22. However, Jessup came out of the timeout on a tear with 2 straight points then unfortunately pressed the Spirit into 2 straight errors. After a highly intensive first set, OUAZ cooled down in the second allowing the Warriors to go on a 8 to 4 run pushing the lead to as much as 8 at 13-20. After closing the set 15-25, the Spirit came into the third set with some clear adrenaline and vigor. A tight set, with both teams making tons of errors, the Spirit took advantage. Leading 18-17, the Spirit scored 7 straight capitalizing on Jessup errors and a Jack Hubbard kill. Set 4 was almost a repeat of set 1 and went right down to the wire. What was a close set, the Warriors pushed the Spirit to a tough 3 point deficit down 20-23. After a Coach Afusia, timeout the Spirit came out on fire forcing Jessup into an error and stuff block followed by a clutch Caeden Salmen kill. Tied at 23, Horatio Maumasi put out an ace serve that had Warrior passers puzzled by its speed and power. Following a Jessup timeout on OUAZ game point, the Warriors perversely pushed the Spirit once again. Two straight Jan Lopuch kills once again put Jessup on top. Now tied at 27, the Warriors got a nice Owen Henning killing followed by a gut wrenching block that ended the game. The Spirit put forth quite the effort and had game-point in two sets against a team that will compete in one of the best conferences in college volleyball.

Following the 3-game road trip, your OUAZ Spirit return home for another 3 game homestand this week. The first game will be an early contest against Morningside University (IA) on Monday, March 3rd at 12pm (MST) inside Faith Arena. The reserve team will also battle it out against Morningside's reserve at 10am. The Spirit will then take on crosstown rival Arizona Christian on Wednesday, March 5th at 6pm (MST) inside Faith Arena.
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