The #11 AQ men's volleyball team represented Aquinas in the national tournament for the first time since 2019 today (Apr. 12) against #1 Grand View. Top-seeded Grand View reminded the NAIA that they are the defending national champions with a very strong opening performance against Aquinas. The Vikings swept the Saints by set scores of 25-20, 25-15, and 25-20 in an impressive performance.
Aquinas would take an early 2-0 lead after a kill from
Robert Valerio and an attacking error from the Vikings. GV would immediately respond and tie the first set at 2-2. The set would remain close, but the Vikings would slowly begin to build a lead. GV would begin to pull away with a 20-13 advantage, forcing a timeout from Aquinas. The Saints would pull some points back, but it would be too little too late. Errors would be the thorn in the side for Aquinas in the first set as the Vikings would go on to win 25-20.
The second set started off close with a slew of kills coming from
Julian Armendano early. However, after Grand View held a 10-9 advantage, the Vikings would go on to score 15 of the next 21 points to pick up a 25-15 victory against the Saints. Grand View would be firmly in the driver's seat of the match with a 2-0 match lead.
GV looked to end the match with a 3-0 sweep as the Vikings would race out to a 10-4 lead in the third set. Aquinas would begin to bounce back a bit, narrowing the lead to just two points late in the set. With a 20-18 advantage, Grand View would close out the third set with a few kills, a block, and a service ace to end the match.
Grand View held the statistical edge in nearly all categories, leading in kills (39-23), hitting percentage (.364-.161), assists (37-22), digs (21-10), and aces (9-2). AQ had eight blocks to GV's seven.
Armendano was the best offensive player on the court for the Saints today. Armendano had 15 of AQ's 23 kills with an impressive .423 hitting percentage. He also had an ace, three block assists, and two digs.
Darnell Eudoxie was the best player defensively with a solo block and five block assists, along with an assist.
Matthew Richmond had a kill on two attack attempts along with 17 assists, a block assist, and two digs.
The Saints will be looking to rebound tomorrow against #8 Jamestown. The match will, again, be played at 7:00 PM CST/8:00 PM EST at the MidAmerican Energy Complex.
