No. 2 Seed GSU To Face Top-Seeded SXU For Men's Volleyball Tourney Title
CHICAGO --- No. 2-seeded Governors State University (19-10) will be the last Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference men's volleyball team in 2026 to get a crack at knocking top-seeded Saint Xavier University from its long-standing perch when the two teams square off at 1 pm on Saturday at SXU's Shannon Center after both advanced to the league tournament title match on Thursday.
The top two squads in the league needed just the minimum three games to advance to Saturday's finale with Governors State defeating Olivet Nazarene University and Saint Xavier University taking down St. Ambrose University.
SXU will be seeking its seventh straight tournament crown and looking to extend its winning streak against CCAC foes to 48 matches, while Governors State is hoping to make its first year in the league a memorable one. During the regular season, the Cougars won both matches by 3-0 counts.
The winner advances to the NAIA National Tournament April 28-May 2 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Recapping Thursday:
Saint Xavier def. St. Ambrose 25-17, 25-17, 25-20
The Cougars attacked at a near-.500 clip, finishing at .472 compared to St. Ambrose's .129 effort. Donte Jennings led the charge with his .685 report and nine kills. Matt Pennala was next in line at .450 (team-high 12 kills), followed by Caydann Cox at .318 (10 kills). Cameron Daniels set the table with his 40 assists. Pedro Zang totaled 11 kills for the Fighting Bees.
Governors State def. Olivet Nazarene 25-22, 25-9, 25-20
Governors State also used a strong attacking style to claim its semifinal win in the minimum three sets. The Jaguars used a .333-.065 advantage in that statistical category to advance. Diego Antunee registered a .429 attacking report and 12 kills with Pablo Pascual right behind at .318 and 11. Lucas Lapa set things up for the pair with his 31 assists. Cade Ooms put up 11 kills for Olivet Nazarene.
The complete tournament schedule and results follow:
Tuesday, April 14 - First Round
• Match #1: No. 4 St. Ambrose def. No. 5 Viterbo 25-18, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19
• Match #2: No. 3 Olivet Nazarene def. No. 6 Judson 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-8
Thursday, April 16 - Semifinal Round (at site of highest remaining seed)
• Match #3: No. 2 Governors State def. No. 3 Olivet Nazarene 25-22, 25-9, 25-20
• Match #4: No. 1 Saint Xavier def. No. 4 St. Ambrose 25-17, 25-17, 25-20
Saturday, April 18 – Championship (at site of highest remaining seed)
• Match #5: No. 2 Governors State (19-10) at No. 1 Saint Xavier (27-3) --- 1 pm CT