WHAC RELEASE

Grand Rapids, Mich. – The WHAC announced its 2024 men's volleyball season awards yesterday (Apr.18). Freshman Connor Staats was selected to the All-Freshman Team after a strong rookie season and the high point of the Saints season.

Staats first career match for the Saints was also, arguably, his best. He set the record for the most kills in a debut for any men's volleyball player in AQ history with his season-high 21 kills. He eclipsed 10 kills in each of his first four matches and accomplished such a feat 12 times this season.

In total, Staats finished the season with a team-high 209 kills and 2.99 kills per set. He also led the team with 26 aces and 97 digs while providing 28 block assists and three solo blocks.

Aquinas had seven athletes named to the WHAC All-Academic team in 2024. To qualify for the All-Academic team, the athlete must possess a 3.25 cumulative GPA, be at least a sophomore in academic standing, and have been at Aquinas for at least one academic year. AQ's all-academic honorees are: Daniel Austin, Gage Dinges, Scott Hopkins, Colin Ilagan, Ernesto Lopez, Leo-Paul Rousseau, and Callahan Schwartz.

Hopkins was also named as AQ's representative on the Champions of Character team. This athlete is identified by his respective coach as the player who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.