Grand Rapids, Mich. – Aquinas rounded out its four-match road stand against the Cornerstone Golden Eagles tonight (Apr. 2). Connor Staats continued to impress with a career-high .370 hitting percentage and 14 kills, but Cornerstone found itself in the win column with a 3-1 result.

AQ falls to 3-19 over the course of its rebuilding season while Cornerstone got back in the win column, improving to 16-3.

Cornerstone 3, Aquinas 1 (25-21, 25-14, 18-25, 25-16)

Aquinas spread the ball around early as kills from Staats, Alexander Rodriguez, Zachary Nosky, and Jacob Davidson had the Saints ahead early with a 9-6 lead. However, AQ's mid-set struggles continued on the ensuing point. The Golden Eagles claimed nine of the next ten points to turn the tides of the set.

A pair of kills from Nosky and Staats, along with a pair of CU errors returned the Saints to just a single-point deficit before a five-point Golden Eagle run put the set out of reach. CU closed out the first set 25-21.

That momentum shifted into the second set for the crosstown hosts. After an early 4-1 Aquinas lead, Cornerstone quickly ran away with the set. The Golden Eagles claimed a 25-14 victory and had AQ on its heels heading into the third set.

AQ got some offense rolling in the third set as Staats posted four kills and a block assist on the way to a 10-4 lead. CU reduced the Aquinas advantage to two points before a 6-1 Saints run had the visitors ahead 17-10. A strong set from Aquinas that saw Staats record two more kills gave the Saints some life with a 25-18 victory.

The Saints battled their rival to a 12-12 score in the fourth set, but a massive seven-point Cornerstone run that began on the subsequent point sunk the Saints. A trio of Golden Eagle service errors helped AQ score a few more points, but CU closed the 2024 series chapter with a sweep over AQ.

By the Numbers

Aquinas put down eight blocks to Cornerstone's six and the two sides had similar digs (AQ 31, CU 33), but the difference in the match came down to offense. The Golden Eagles posted more kills (48-36) and a higher hitting percentage (.307-.188).

Staats ended the night with a career-best .370 hitting percentage and a team-high 14 kills to go with his two block assists and four digs.

Colin Ilagan recorded nine digs as the libero and an assist. Chase Gil put up a strong block all night, assisting on five blocks and going solo on another.

Up Next

The Saints will take a week off before playing their final home match of the season. AQ is set to take on (RV) Lawrence Tech on April 9th at 7:00 p.m. inside the Sturrus Center.