Grand Rapids, Mich. – The AQ men's volleyball squad kicked off their season tonight (Jan. 26) in front of a large crowd and a presidential bet on the line. The loser's president would have to wear the winner's jersey.

It appeared that Dr. Córdoba would be representing Calvin attire after two sets, but AQ rallied late in the third to start what turned out to be a reverse sweep. Aquinas won the match in five sets and Dr. Córdoba won the friendly competition.

Aquinas starts its season in the win column with a 1-0 record. Calvin's record drops to 0-4 after the first week of play for the program.

Aquinas 3, Calvin 2 (22-25, 24-26, 25-23, 25-23, 15-11)

The close bout began in the first set as service errors proved to be Calvin's largest enemy. The Knights committed eight service errors in the first set, helping AQ get out to a 19-17 advantage. However, a late 7-2 run from Calvin proved to be the difference in the set as Calvin walked away with a 25-22 result.

Aquinas ran a young team out on the floor tonight with several freshmen seeing their first collegiate playing time. Connor Staats picked up his first four collegiate kills in the beginning set.

Calvin took that positive momentum built up in the first set into the second, grabbing an early 9-6 edge. A Gill Kill and a kill from Staats helped jump-start the AQ offense, leading to a run that put the home side ahead 16-13. A kill from Jacob Davidson (the first of his career) late in the second set put AQ comfortably ahead 22-18.

However, once again, the Knights rallied back and tied the set at 22. Aquinas had a set point opportunity, but Calvin closed out the second set with a 3-0 run and a 26-24 victory.

CU appeared to be in position to close out the night with a sweep, taking a 17-10 lead into the third set. This would not be the case. With the home crowd behind them, Aquinas made a couple of changes and went on a 6-0 run featuring kills from Staats, Leo-Paul Rousseau, and Noah Smith-Slosar to tie the set at 18.

Calvin reclaimed the lead, but a 5-0 run from the Saints at the end of the set that featured three blocks gave AQ its first set win of the night.

That rally proved to be the spark Aquinas needed. Calvin took an 11-10 lead in the fourth set, but that would be the last time the Knights had the lead in a close fourth set. After consecutive 25-23 set wins, AQ was on the brink of a reverse sweep.

Staats was the early offensive catalyst in the fifth set, picking up three kills as Aquinas grabbed an early 7-3 advantage. CU nearly erased the deficit with an 11-10 scoreline, but a massive Gil Kill and an Andrew Jones ace pushed Aquinas out of Calvin's reach. Staats recorded his 21st kill of the night for the 14th point and a service error from the Knights completed the reverse sweep.

By the Numbers

The Knights had a better night than Aquinas hitting (.218-.121) and blocking (10 total blocks – six total blocks). AQ responded with more kills (53-47), assists (52-41), digs (34-30), and fewer service errors (16-27). Both teams ended the night with six aces.

There were a lot of career firsts for Aquinas tonight. Staats, Smith-Slosar, Ariq Casas, Oniel Alvarez, Zachary Nosky, Davidson, and Jones all played in their first career match for Aquinas.

Staats recorded the most kills ever by an Aquinas player in their debut with 21 kills and a .289 hitting percentage. He tagged along an ace, five digs, and a block assist to cap off an impressive night.

Gil provided nearly half of AQ's blocks tonight with one solo block and three block assists. He added nine Gil kills and two aces to his stat line.

Up Next

Aquinas is back on the court next Thursday (Feb. 1) to take on Olivet. The Saints road match is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.