Eagles Fall In Rollercoaster Semi-final Match

Chicago, IL - It was what you would expect from a semi-final, playoff match. Two strong teams going toe to toe all night long. Thus was the case when the Eagles traveled to St. Xavier for the Women's Volleyball CCAC semi-final match. 

As the #3 seed, and road team, Judson came out on fire. They dominated the first set 25-17. Yomailis Fernandez was stellar all night long as she had 23 kills on the night. 

In set two, Judson was up 24-22 and needing just one more point to go up two sets to none. But St. Xavier rallied, and closed on a 5-1 run to take the set 27-25. 

The Cougars seemingly had the momentum swung as they raced out to a big lead in set three. It was 22-15 SXU before the Eagles hit the gas pedal and went on a 12-2 run to take over. The Eagles won 26-24. 

With a berth in the CCAC championship game, it was St. Xavier taking things back as they won set four big 25-16. 

So with both teams winning a set in convincing fashion, and losing a set that they seemingly had in hand, it was only fitting that a fifth set would be needed. 

The points in set five were back and forth to the "T' before St. Xavier finally found separation at 12-9. JU scratched some more before it was finally the Cougars night in the end, winning 15-11. 

With the setback, Judson is now 19-13 overall. The loss also knocked them out of the CCAC playoffs a victory shy of reaching the title game for the second year in a row. It will now be St. Xavier traveling to #1 seed Viterbo for the championship on Saturday. 

Maisie Green had 16 kills, and Alyssa Gerzel added 11 more in the match. Reese McCutchan led with 30 assists. Fernandez led with 22 digs. 

The Eagles will now turn their attention to the NCCAA National Tournament. A bid is all but likely for JU. That event will begin the week of December 4th in Point Lookout, Missouri.