Sylvania, Ohio – Coming off a big win against Lawrence Tech on Tuesday (Feb. 7), the (RV) AQ men's volleyball squad was back in action tonight (Feb. 10) with a road match against the No. 9-ranked Lourdes Gray Wolves. The Saints appeared to be in a position to win the match after winning the first two sets by scores of 26-24 and 25-21. However, the nationally ranked Lourdes side had other ideas, winning the next three sets to complete an incredible comeback victory. LU won the final three sets by scores of 25-23, 27-25, and 15-8.

Aquinas falls to 4-4 with a 3-2 WHAC record after the result. Lourdes improves to 5-3 and remains undefeated in conference play with a 3-0 record.

Lourdes University began the first set with a slim advantage, but two kills from Joshua Boothroyd gave AQ its first lead of the match with an 8-6 lead. Both sides continued to trade points with AQ managing a one or two-point upper hand throughout the first set. This back-and-forth action continued until Lourdes tied the set at 20-20.

The Gray Wolves took the lead back on the following point in what was their first lead since very early in the set. LU went on to take a 23-22 advantage in the first, but a kill from Julian Armendano and an error from the home side gave AQ a set point opportunity. Despite Lourdes tying the match at 24, another kill from Boothroyd gave AQ another set point chance and Carter Sabo finished off the first set with a huge kill.

Set number two played a bit differently as Aquinas got out to an early advantage after a 4-1 run. However, Lourdes rallied back to score nine of the next 12 points. Both sides began to trade points again with the visiting Saints slowly eroding away the Gray Wolves' lead. A kill from Armendano finally gave Aquinas the lead back with the set score at 14-13.

The second set appeared as if it would play out similarly to the first set, but the Saints began to break away late in the set. A pair of kills from Armendano and a block from Alexander Rodriguez and Armendano finished off the second set 25-21, giving Aquinas a commanding 2-0 lead entering the third set.

Aquinas and Lourdes proved to be two very evenly matched sides coming into the third set as the home side flipped the script. The Saints held as much as a four-point lead at one point, but it would be Lourdes' turn to complete a comeback. LU completely the comeback late in the set, taking a 19-18 advantage.

The home side proceeded to run away with the score late, taking a huge 23-19 lead. Aquinas marched back and narrowed the score to 24-23 and forced Lourdes to burn a timeout to regroup at set point. Unfortunately for AQ, that timeout worked and a quick kill gave the Gray Wolves their first set victory of the night.

An incredible bout between the two WHAC institutions continued into the fourth set. Neither side was willing to give an inch and, after 31 points had been played in the set, neither side had held more than a one-point advantage.

Lourdes briefly took control of the set, but AQ marched back and a kill from Armendano gave the Saints a match-point opportunity. However, a service error from AQ tied the set at 24 and a kill from the Gray Wolves gave the home side set point. Armendano tied the match again, but a pair of errors from AQ gave Lourdes a 27-25 victory in the fourth set and tied the match at 2-2.

With all of the momentum on their side, the Gray Wolves got hot after an early 3-2 lead from the Saints. Lourdes went on a 3-0 run and quickly followed that with a 4-1 run to take a 9-5 lead in the fifth and final set. The Saints took a timeout, but Lourdes' momentum was not slowed down at all. The home side completed the comeback, winning the fifth set 15-8.

Both sides were evenly matched statistically with Aquinas leading in aces (6-5) and digs (55-52). Lourdes held the advantage in kills (70-66), hitting percentage (.310-.283), and assists (68-65). Both teams had seven blocks over the course of the match.

Armendano led the team with 22 kills (.236) on the night to pair with his assist, solo block, block assist, and six digs.

Boothroyd posted a personal season-high of 19 kills (.317). In addition, he had two assists, one ace, two block assists, and 12 digs.

Leo-Paul Rousseau continues to impress as the Saints' setter, setting a career-high in assists with 58. In addition, he had a team-high of two aces, a block assist, and a team-leading 13 digs.

Sabo and Chase Gil also hit double-digit kills with 10 apiece. Sabo picked up his ten kills with a .320 hitting percentage while Gil had an impressive .412 hitting percentage.

Aquinas is back in action tomorrow (Feb. 11) with another touch matchup. This time, the Saints have a road match against the No. 13 Indiana Tech Warriors.