Goshen, Ind. – Aquinas squared off with the Goshen Maple Leafs tonight (Mar. 8) as both teams looked for their first wins in conference play. It would ultimately be Goshen who picked up its first WHAC win of the season after winning in four sets.

Goshen 3, Aquinas 1 (25-15, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18)

Set number one was all Maple Leafs. The Saints took the first point of the match, but Goshen responded with the next three points and never looked back. Goshen College had several three and four-point runs on its way to a 25-15 win in the first set.

The Maple Leafs continued that momentum right into the second set as a massive nine-point run had the home side ahead 11-2. The Saints showed some life throughout the set, but those nine points proved to be the difference as the Maple Leafs took the second set 25-16.

Connor Staats was the majority of the AQ offense through the first two sets, recording four kills in both sets.

The ensuing set was far more competitive as neither team held more than a two-point lead until a four-point run from Aquinas late in the set put the visitors ahead 18-15. That four-point run was courtesy of kills from Ernesto Lopez, Gage Dinges, and Jacob Davidson, along with an ace from Staats.

AQ continued to battle, and another Davidson kill had the Saints on the verge of a third-set win with the score 24-21. The Maple Leafs scored a couple of points back, but a Goshen error gave Aquinas a much-needed third-set victory and breathed new life into the match.

The fourth and final set started close, but another large Goshen run – this time of the 7-1 variety – proved to be the difference in the set. That run allowed the Maple Leafs to take a 13-10 lead that they slowly continued to build on. The Saints kept the score within seven points, but the hosts ultimately went on to win 25-18.

By the Numbers

The big difference in the match today came in the aces and blocks line. Goshen led in aces (9-1) and blocks (9-2).

Staats had a strong night attacking, recording 17 kills on 43 attacks with a .209 hitting percentage. Additionally, he served AQ's lone ace, had one block assist, and six digs.

Noah Smith-Slosar ended the contest with eight kills and a .294 hitting average. Davidson had an extremely efficient night attacking with a .357 hitting percentage and seven kills.

Up Next

The Saints won't play again until after spring break on March 19th. Aquinas will be back on the road that night with a contest against Bethel at 7:00 p.m.