Mishawaka, Ind. – After an 11-day hiatus, the Saints geared back up to take on the Bethel Pilots tonight (Mar. 19). Aquinas scored at least 20 points in every set for just the third time this season, but the Pilots ultimately managed to take the match in four sets. AQ's rebuilding season continues as the Saints now represent a 2-14 record.
Bethel 3, Aquinas 1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-22, 25-20)
Noah Smith-Slosar scored the first point of the match, but Bethel immediately responded and led 14-11 midway through the set. Bethel had to use an early timeout as the Saints strung together a four-point run to take the lead back. AQ managed to hold a slim lead, but the Pilots managed to score five of the last six points to take the first set.
Aquinas found its stride with an early six-point run in the ensuing set.
Connor Staats and
Zachary Nosky put down a kill and
Andrew Jones landed an ace. A couple more AQ runs had the Saints threatening to tie the match. Another Staats kill and a combo block from
Chase Gil and
Alexander Rodriguez all but sealed the set.
A big kill from Smith-Slosar made the second-set victory official. Staats recorded a team-leading four kills during the set.
Aquinas appeared to be pushing for a third-set victory as well with a 14-7 lead. However, the Pilots rallied and claimed a 20-19 lead after a 6-1 run. AQ scored the ensuing three points, but a five-point run from Bethel coming out of a timeout gave the home side a massive comeback win to take a 2-1 match lead.
Once again, the Saints ran hot to start the fourth set, leading 11-7. However, Bethel came back scoring eight of the next 10 points to take the lead. AQ tied the set at 15, but that would be the closest Aquinas was to leading for the remainder of the match. BU won 25-20 and took the set 3-1.
By the Numbers
Despite the result, Aquinas had one of its best matches serving. The Saints had 10 aces to 18 service errors while the Pilots struggled with six aces to 25 errors.
Nosky had a strong game offensively with nine kills and a .316 hitting percentage. Staats led the team with 10 kills and four aces.
Up Next
Aquinas returns home this weekend for a pair of matches. AQ has a rematch against Bethel on Friday (Mar. 22) at 7:00 p.m. before taking on Goshen for Senior Day at 3:00 p.m.
