Tigers Close Out Lakers In CCAC Play

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Roosevelt's postseason hopes were dashed in a straight-sets setback to Olivet Nazarene on Thursday night in Bourbonnais after putting up yet another strong fight in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference match.  

The Lakers (9-16, 1-8) were within striking distance in both of the first two sets, dropping them 25-23 and 25-21 before the Tigers rolled to a 25-14 win in the third set to complete the sweep. Roosevelt led almost the entire way in the opening set, pushing its advantage out to as big as five points. The Lakers didn't trail in the first set until it was 24-23 Tigers, and a timeout did not stop Olivet Nazarene from converting set point and completing a 5-0 run.

Roosevelt put itself in position to even the match in the second set, but couldn't find the tying point late in the game. After falling behind 14-10, the Lakers managed to work the score to 17-16, 20-19, 21-20 and 22-21 before the Tigers claimed the final three points of the set. Roosevelt then raced out a 5-1 lead in the third set while trying to extend the match before Olivet Nazarene won 19 of the next 24 points to pull away.

Andrea DiPaola had a fantastic game on offense for the Lakers, leading the way with 15 kills on a .323 hitting percentage. Diego Esquivel had nine kills and six digs while Mark Zmojdzin served up three aces to help the attack. Lachlan Diamond again anchored the Lakers defense with four blocks, including one solo stuff, and Miguel Mendez Palencia had nine digs to extend plays. Daniel Magana-Huyhn also set a new career high with 29 assists in the loss.

The Lakers will end their season Tuesday night at the Goodman Center when Roosevelt welcomes Calumet St. Joseph at 7 p.m. The annual Senior Night festivities will begin at 6:45 p.m. and honor Robert Davis, Kenny Koster and Luis Marchan.