Grand Rapids, Mich. – AQ was across town this evening (Feb. 6) to take on Calvin University one more time. AQ jumped out to an early lead inside of Van Noord Arena, winning the first set. However, the Knights responded, grinding out three close set wins to take home their first match in program history.

AQ skids to 2-3 on the year after starting the season 2-0. Calvin's first program win gives the Knights a 1-5 record on the year.

Calvin 3, Aquinas 1 (21-25, 25-21, 26-24, 26-24)

The Saints went on an early five-point run that included blocks from Jacob Davidson, Noah Smith-Slosar, and Leo-Paul Rousseau to take an 11-5 lead. A handful of plays later, Calvin tightened the score with a run of its own, but a pair of Zachary Nosky kills from Rousseau had AQ back ahead by four.

Calvin reduced the deficit once more, trailing just 21-20 late in the first set. However, a three-point run that started with another Nosky kill iced the first set for the Saints.

Despite dropping the first set, the home side built up some momentum in the second set in front of a hometown crowd. An early 8-2 run from Calvin had the young Aquinas side behind 15-9. Four Nosky kills down the stretch kept the score close, but AQ couldn't get back within three points as the Knights went on to win the second set with a 25-21 victory of their own.

Calvin appeared to be running away with the third set early until an Andrew Jones kill from Nosky started a four-point run to tie the set at 11. Aquinas closely trailed for the entirety of the set from that point on until a late kill from Smith-Slosar tied up the set at 24. Calvin hadn't been behind at any point during the third set and that didn't change after AQ tied the set up. The Knights came back with back-to-back kills to end the third set 26-24.

The fourth set followed a nearly identical script, as the Saints trailed by no more than three points at any time throughout the set. Aquinas finally tied the set at 21 after an Ernesto Lopez ace, but Calvin immediately responded. The two sides traded the ensuing six points to tie the set at 24 but, similar to the third set, Calvin ended the contest by scoring the last two points.

By the Numbers

The box score was close between the two Grand Rapids teams with AQ holding the edge in assists (41-39) and digs (39-34). Calvin posted more kills (44-42) and a better hitting percentage (.264-.125) while both teams had nine aces. The difference in the match came down to attacking errors, as CU only posted 15 errors tonight while Aquinas had 28.

Nosky had a breakout match for Aquinas as the primary outside hitter tonight. He recorded a career-high 18 kills on 37 swings (.162) while adding an assist and two digs.

Davidson also set a career-best mark of eight kills from the opposite side. The former Lowell Red Arrow added an assist, two aces, a block assist, and five digs to his busy night.

Defensively, Jones and Ariq Casas hit double-digit digs with 10 apiece. Chase Gil posted three solo blocks, a block assist, and three aces.

Up Next

The Saints have some time off until their next match. They will be back inside the Sturrus Center next Tuesday (Feb. 13) to take on crosstown rival, Cornerstone University.