The Saints would pull off their biggest win of the season this afternoon with a four-set upset over #5 Indiana Tech. AQ would win by set scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, and 25-16 to take home the win against the previously undefeated Warriors. AQ improves to 11-6 on the season with a 6-4 WHAC record.

The (RV) AQ men's volleyball team was back on the court this afternoon (Feb. 26) for a WHAC matchup against the #5 Indiana Tech Warriors. The Saints had a tough 3-0 loss to the #14 Saint Xavier Cougars last night and were looking to bounce back today. AQ entered the match 10-6 with a 5-4 WHAC conference record. Indiana Tech was the only undefeated team remaining in the NAIA with a 16-0 record and an impressive 8-0 WHAC record.

The first set was neck-and-neck between the two sides. IT took an early lead, but AQ quickly recovered and kept the set close. As the set was approaching the end, a huge solo block from Matthew Richmond, an ace from Julian Armendano, and a kill from Joshua Boothroyd gave Aquinas a 20-17 lead. Indiana Tech took a timeout in an attempt to slow down the Saints momentum. Indiana Tech would immediately respond with two points to narrow the lead to 20-19. However, the Saints would get a couple of massive blocks from Daniel De La Rosa and a couple more kills from Armendano to close out the set. AQ would win set one by a score of 25-20 off the back of a whopping eight kills from Armendano. The pressure was on IT to respond in the second set.

The second set was just as exciting as the first set. The set remained dead even between the two sides as Joshua Boothroyd and Armendano would combine for a majority of the offense for AQ. As the match was ending, Indiana Tech began to break away with a 19-17 lead, forcing a timeout from Aquinas to stem the momentum. Service errors would be the story for Aquinas coming out of the timeout as the Saints conceded several points by way of service error. With the score at 23-20 in favor of the Warriors, Armendano appeared to pick up his seventh kill of the set but was overruled by the top ref to give Aquinas a 24-20 lead. That call would all but wrap up the set as IT would go on to win 25-21 and tie the match at 1-1.

The third set remained close as well with both sides refusing to back down. Boothroyd and Armendano continued to be the driving force on offense with De La Rosa acting as a block machine. AQ began to pull away with a 13-8 lead and forcing an early timeout from the Warriors. The Warriors fought back to narrow the lead to just one point and the two sides would continue to battle back-and-forth. The teams were tied at 20-20 until a kill from De La Rosa and a floater that dropped in from Armendano would give the Saints a 22-20 lead, forcing IT's second timeout of the set. The timeout would not matter as De La Rosa would pick up two aces to give AQ a 25-20 victory. For just the second time this season, Indiana Tech trails 2-1 in the match.

Aquinas was determined to pull off the upset as the quickly raced out to a 10-5 lead after several more kills from Armendano and a couple blocks from De La Rosa. IT took an early timeout with its backs to the wall in the match. AQ would not let their foot off the gas as they continued to pour it on. Aquinas grew its lead to ten points with an 18-8 lead over Indiana Tech, forcing the Warriors to take their second timeout of the set. The timeout would not help the Warriors as Aquinas was set on pulling off the upset. Armendano would end the set with an exclamation mark, tying his career-high in kills with the final point of the match. AQ would cruise past IT in the fourth set by a score of 25-16.

The Saints held the statistical advantage in most categories, leading in kills (53-48), hitting percentage (.299-.217), assists (51-46), aces (12-1), and blocks (14.5-8). The Warriors had just a couple more digs than the Saints with 39 to AQ's 37.

Armendano continued his career season by tying his career high in kills this afternoon with 25 (.413). Not only did he contribute 25 kills to the winning effort, but he also had five aces, five digs, and three total blocks to cap off an impressive match.

Boothroyd was the other member of the offensive force for Aquinas, tallying 12 kills (.296), four aces, three digs, and two block assists.

De La Rosa was a defensive menace for Aquinas, totaling a solo block and six block assists for a total of four total blocks. De La Rosa also contributed five kills (.200), three aces, and two digs.

Kelsey Yogi had himself an excellent match as the libero, totaling 14 digs and four assists on the match.

Richmond received the nod as setter again and also played very well. Richmond had 45 assists, two kills on two attempts, five digs, a solo block, and two block assists.

The Saints are back in action this Wednesday (Mar. 2) with a road match against the Adrian Bulldogs. This match is the first of another four-match road stand for Aquinas.