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OUAZ Athletics

MVB_04/02/25
MVB_04/02/25
3
Winner OUAZ OUAZ 8-9, 3-5 GSAC
0
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU 5-11, 2-6 GSAC
Winner
OUAZ OUAZ
8-9, 3-5 GSAC
3
Final
0
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU
5-11, 2-6 GSAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
OUAZ OUAZ 25 25 26 (3)
Arizona Christian (AZ) ACU 14 16 24 (0)

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball | | Jas Singh

OUAZ Brightens Playoff Hopes By Cruising Past ACU For 4th Straight Time

Glendale, Ariz.- OUAZ men's volleyball headed into Thursday evenings matchup with a shot to complete the season sweep of its long time rival Arizona Christian for the second time in two years. The Spirit not only did that but shifted their odds of making it into the GSAC playoff picture. The final score was (25-14) (25-16) (25-23) putting the Spirit at (8-9) overall and (3-5) in the GSAC.

Star senior team captain Caeden Salmen put on an absolute clinic tonight notching 15 kills on only 24 swings for a .500 hitting percentage. Salmen not only had a game high in kills but tacked on a service ace and 5 block assists. Middle blocker Horatio Maumasi garnered 7 kills on 10 attempts hitting .500 as well. Maumasi didn't get the amount of volume he usually does, but showed his impact can be felt defensively too. The should be future All-American put together an impressive 8 blocks shutting down one of thr strong outside attacks in the GSAC. Phoenix native, Jack Hubbard had a strong showing putting together 10 kills and an ecstatic first set that allowed the Spirit to create a wide margin.

After a tough weekend, the Spirit absolutely shut down an Arizona Christian offense that was on fire following a sweep of #15 Hope International. The Spirit not only held the Firestorm's top hitter Connor Monahan to a .156 hitting percentage, but limited the entire team to a .026 percentage. OUAZ looked unstoppable in set 1 following a 9-8 lead. The Spirit put on a 16-6 run to end the set and lead the set 22-13 at one point. Jack Hubbard had an impressive stretch chopping some nice balls down the line and even over the ACU block a couple times. The highlight reel of the night came at game point for the Spirit where senior opposite Corey Johnson got a one handed stuff block to close the set. Johnson who's vertical extends over 40 inches was able to take away line then reach over with his right hand putting Monohan's swing straight back to the Firestorm side. In set 2, the Spirit carried some of the similar momentum they had in set 1 building a big lead at 22-16. On his birthday, Jonathan Worden got himself in the action with a couple big stuff blocks himself. The Long Beach native and senior setter took a page out of Johnson's book and got himself a highlight reel one handed stuff block. Worden, who is also a high flyer himself lined up on Monohan's line then reached angle with his left hand and nabbed a ball straight into his hand. The Spirit went on to win the set after back to back stuff blocks again by Caeden Salmen and Horatio Maumasi. Set 3, saw OUAZ slow down a little bit and the Firestorm take advantage as they lead 19-15 following an ace. However, the Spirit climbed right back with kills by Caeden Salmen and Corey Johnson. Up 25-24, the Spirit needed one more stop then score to complete the sweep. After a scramble following an ACU swing, Ka'imi Kealoha put up a nice bump set for Jack Hubbard who took an absolute rip and forced a tool block that landed out of bounds on the Spirit side.

Following tonight's sweep, OUAZ returns to action a week from now on Wednesday, April 9th at 6pm against Park-Gilbert in Gilbert. Then will follow that with a big time matchup against #6 ranked Benedectine Mesa on Thursday, April 10th at 6pm in Faith Arena. That matchup will be Senior Night where we will feature our amazing seniors and their contributions to our program! Both games will be streamed on the GSAC Sports Network.
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