Grand Rapids, Mich. – AQ's rebuild season continued today (Feb. 17) with a match against Olivet Nazarene University. The contest that was hosted at Grace Christian University was over in three sets as the Tigers from Illinois took all three sets by close scores.

ONU improved to 3-5 on the season while the Saints fell to 2-6.

Olivet Nazarene University 3, Aquinas 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-21)

The match started with the two sides trading the first nine points of the set until an Olivet Nazarene run gave the visitors the edge. A Chase Gil kill and an attack error kept the match close, but the Tigers started to break away. Neither team managed to string together a significant run, but the Tigers were able to hold a steady lead. A pair of kills and a block from ONU ended the first set 25-22.

AQ took advantage of a five-point run early in the second set after two kills and a block from Zachary Nosky. Kills from Gil and Ernesto Lopez and a pair of errors from Olivet a few points later had the Saints out in front 11-5.

As the set progressed, the Tigers began to chip away at the AQ lead. A six-point Tigers run late in the set finally broke the floodgates open, allowing the visiting side to run away with the set.

ONU appeared to be in position to run away with the third set, but a series of errors from Olivet gave AQ a 10-8 lead after a five-point run. However, ONU responded with a six-point run to effectively put the match away. Leo-Paul Rousseau scored a pair of aces on match point, but the Tigers closed out the set and won the match.

By the Numbers

Olivet led the match in kills (37-31), blocks (10-3), and assists (33-29). AQ had more aces (4-2) and each team had 25 digs.

Gil had a great match, recording a team-high eight kills with a .538 hitting percentage with two block assists and a dig.

Rousseau had a busy day with 27 assists, a kill, three aces, a block assist, and five digs.

Up Next

Aquinas is on the road next week on Tuesday (Feb. 20) for an important conference matchup against Lawrence Tech. The first serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.