The Dominican University men's volleyball team, ranked 13^th in the AVCA Men's Division III Top 15 Preseason Coaches' Poll, began the 2016 season on Thursday night, disposing of the Saint Xavier University Cougars in three sets, 25-11, 25-13, 25-20, in the Igini Sports Forum.  The Stars posted a hefty .389 attack percentage on 54 total attacks and collected 11 total blocks in cruising to their first win of the season.
 
Junior Jeremy Royko (Naperville, Ill.) and Luke Spicer (St. Charles, Ill.) led the Stars' offensive attack with nine kills apiece while setter Alex Coyne (Naperville, Ill.) doled out 22 assists and 2015 AVCA First Team All-American Mason Solbrig (Lindenhurst, Ill.) collected seven kills on nine attempts without committing an error.
 
Defensively, the Stars put a quick stop to nearly every Cougars run, posting a 77-percent sideout percentage for the match and collecting 11.5 total blocks at the net.  Solbrig organized Dominican's block party, posting seven total blocks (1 BS, 6 BA) while Spicer tallied five block assists.  In the back row, libero Brooks Nevrly (Downers Grove, Ill.) led the Stars with seven digs as Dominican held the visiting Cougars to just a -.014 attack percentage with 24 errors to 23 kills on 74 total attacks.
 
"The boys played well today," commented Dominican's third-year head coach Dan Ames following the win. "They showed some physical abilities they've been lacking the last couple of years—raised their level and showed some strength but stayed disciplined. One thing I do wish they did was show some more energy on the court.  We sort of coasted at times tonight."
 
The Stars will return to action on Saturday, traveling to Lisle, Illinois, for a tri-match featuring the Benedictine University Eagles and the Calumet College of St. Joseph Crimson Wave.  Dominican will face the host Eagles at 12:00 p.m. in the Rice Center before battling Calumet College at 2:30 p.m.  The Stars then return home on Sunday, January 30, hosting the Graceland University Yellowjackets at 5:00 p.m.