Roosevelt's Gutsy Effort Falls Short Against No. 11 St. Xavier

CHICAGO – A battered and bruised Roosevelt squad battled Thursday before falling to No. 11 St. Xavier at the Goodman Center in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.

The Lakers (6-13, 3-5 CCAC) were down two of their starters in the match, but that did not stop them from fighting for every point against the conference leaders. The Cougars are known for their power and precision, but the Lakers were able to get their bodies and hands in the right position on most points with very few of St. Xavier's 48 kills in the match actually hitting the ground. Roosevelt was charged with eight reception errors, a product of its ability to be in the right position even if the Lakers didn't direct the ball to the proper locations.

In the opening set, the Lakers never led but they kept the Cougars within striking distance after losing five of the first six points in the match. Roosevelt was within 8-6 early in the set until St. Xavier went on an absurd 17-3 run, including 12 of the last 13 points, to pull away for the 25-9 win in the first set. The second set was slightly better score-wise at 25-10, but the Lakers lost the first five points and never recovered, trailing by as many as 16-4 before the set began to even out slightly.

Despite the two-set deficit, the Lakers showed conviction and heart in making the final set difficult on the Cougars before succumbing 25-17. Once again, St. Xavier jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the set, but this time, Roosevelt rallied to cut the deficit to 16-14 and with some boosts from reserves Favio Lopez-Para and DeShawn Hoston earning more playing time. Lopez Para had two kills and Hoston set a season-best eight assists in the loss.

Hoston took over as the primary setter with Tony Galeana forced into taking over at libero for the final two sets. Galeana led the team with five digs and also recorded three assists. Shawn McCarthy smashed down half of Roosevelt's 12 kills in the match and teamed up with Joseph Claffy for the Lakers' only block as well.

The Lakers return to the court Monday when they welcome Rio Grande to the Goodman Center at 7 p.m. for the final non-conference match of the season.