Kayleigh Kastelein was named the CCAC setter of the week recently. | www.onutigers.com
Kayleigh Kastelein was named the CCAC setter of the week recently. | www.onutigers.com
Olivet Nazarene University’s (ONU) Kayleigh Kastelein has her hands full for the Tigers volleyball team -- and that's a good thing.
The freshman setter from Dunlap was recently named Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) setter of the week thanks to a solid outing at the Hampton Inn Classic. In four matches, ONU faced off against three teams ranked in the top 12 nationally.
Kastelein averaged 9.2 assists per set, and against No. 12 ranked Missouri Baptist, she racked up 45 assists.
While Kastelein was the only Tiger to receive a conference award, she wasn’t the only one to turn in a solid performance at the tournament. Jeslyn Roat was nominated for attacker of the week, and Alex Ewalt was in the running for defender of the week.
Roat has been one of the best offensive players for ONU this season and at the time of publication had recorded 108 kills, averaging nearly four per set. On the defensive side, Ewalt has racked up 142 digs, averaging four per set.
All three ONU players performed well at the Hampton Inn Classic and helped ONU win its first match of the tournament against Friends University. The Tigers claimed a 3-0 victory over the Falcons. Kastelein recorded one kill and was responsible for three ONU offensive attacks. Roat recorded 13 kills and played a part in 26 offensive attacks. Ewalt saw limited playing time but did manage to record one assist.
ONU took on No. 8-ranked Columbia College next, but the Cougars were too much for the Tigers and swept ONU in straight sets. Despite the loss, Kastelein performed well, recording 24 assists, and Roat finished with 10 kills.
A five-set marathon against No. 12-ranked Missouri Baptist University (MBU) followed. The Tigers had earlier claimed a 3-2 victory over MBU, but MBU turned the tables this time, winning 3-2. Kastelein racked up an impressive 45 assists, two kills and eight digs, while Roat finished with 13 kills.
In the final match of the Hampton Inn Classic, the Tigers took on No. 3-ranked Park University, which proved ts ranking with a 3-1 win. Kastelein finished with 36 assists, nine digs and three kills.
For more information about the ONU volleyball season or to see the team’s full schedule, visit www.onutigers.com.
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