The (RV) AQ men's volleyball team took on the (RV) Siena Heights Saints tonight (Feb. 9) in a battle of the Saints. Siena Heights squeaked out a win in the first set by a score of 26-24 and then proceeded to carry that momentum into the next two sets. Siena Heights would then win the next two sets by scores of 25-15 and 25-21 to pick up the 3-0 sweep against Aquinas. This result puts Aquinas at 8-2 on the year with a 4-2 conference record.
The first set provided the fans with plenty of excitement as each side rallied back-and-forth throughout the set. Siena Heights jumped out to an early 4-1 lead before Aquinas came back to take a 7-6 lead of its own. The two teams would each rally with Aquinas holding a slim lead. AQ held a 20-17 lead and the set looked to be in its grasp. However, SHU came back to tie the set at 23 apiece. The two sides would briefly exchange points before Siena Height managed to take two consecutive points for the 26-24 victory.
The second set started off much like the first set. Aquinas jumped out to an early lead and then the teams began trading points. However, this would end with the score tied at seven. Siena Heights would go on a run and muster an 18-8 run to take the second set by a comfortable score of 25-15. Siena Heights held a 2-0 match lead heading into the third set.
The third set would be the final set for Aquinas, with this set playing out almost identically to the first set. Aquinas would take an early 4-2 lead and the set would remain within four points until the score reached 20-19 in favor of AQ. Siena Heights would score five consecutive points from this point in the set, taking a 24-20 lead and closing out the match. Aquinas would score one more points, but Siena Heights would close out the match on the next point, winning 25-21.
The match was statistically very balanced between the two teams. Aquinas held a slight advantage over Siena Heights in assists (35-34) and aces (3-2). SHU topped AQ in kills (37-36), hitting percentage (.289-.179), and digs (33-29). Each side had four total blocks.
Julian Armendano led the team in kills with 13 (.281). He also had an assists and seven digs. Armendano has been the kill leader in all ten matches for the Saints this season.
Joshua Boothroyd was right behind Armendano in kills with 11 (.179) of his own. Boothroyd also contributed a solo block and a dig in the effort tonight.
Daniel De La Rosa had eight kills (.538) of his own and continued to play solid defensively for the Saints. He posted two block assists, a dig, and a service ace.
Matthew Richmond and
Leo-Paul Rousseau split setter duties again, combining for an average of 11.33 assists per set (34 total assists). They would also combine for five digs, an ace, and two block assists.
Kelsey Yogi averaged four digs per set with 12 digs on the night. He also picked up an ace tonight.
AQ is back in action this Saturday (Feb. 12) for an early 10:00 AM matchup against #10 Lourdes University. The match will be played in the Sturrus Center.
