Mount Vernon, OH — Coach Michael Crane has been emphasizing consistency all season, but his team continues to struggle with it. Just one day after delivering arguably their best performance of 2025, the Saints traveled to Mount Vernon Nazarene and fell in straight sets.

Mount Vernon Nazarene 3, Aquinas 0 (21-25, 20-25, 18-25)

Aquinas battled hard against the Cougars in a competitive match but ultimately came up short. The Saints struggled to find their offensive rhythm, dropping the sets 21-25, 20-25, and 18-25. Despite a determined effort, they were unable to overcome Mount Vernon Nazarene's steady play, as the Cougars capitalized on key moments to secure the victory.

Offensively, Connor Staats led the Saints with 11 kills, though his efficiency was hampered by 10 errors. Kapelie Moala added six kills, but the team as a whole hit .000, struggling to sustain any momentum. Julian Fira and Callahan Schwartz each tallied an ace from the service line, though Aquinas was hindered by five service errors, limiting their scoring opportunities.

Defensively, Colin Ilagan was a bright spot with a team-high nine digs, while Staats and Moala contributed additional support. However, the Saints found difficulty at the net, recording just two solo blocks and six block assists. Meanwhile, Mount Vernon Nazarene executed a more efficient attack, hitting .196 overall.

The loss drops Aquinas to 7-16 overall and 2-10 in conference play. The Saints will look to regroup and bounce back when they return home on Thursday.

Inside the Numbers:

• Connor Staats led the Saints with 11 kills.
• Colin Ilagan recorded nine digs and two assists.
• Tough Attack Percentage: Mount Vernon Nazarene hit .196, while Aquinas finished at .000.

Coach's Comments:

Head Coach Michael Crane reflected on the team's performance: "We've talked about consistency all season, and this was another example of how important that is. We showed flashes of great play, but we struggled to sustain it. Mount Vernon Nazarene played a clean, disciplined match, and we didn't execute at the level we needed to. We have to regroup, refocus, and be ready to compete at home."

Up Next:

The Saints will have back-to-back matches at the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center. On Thursday, Aquinas hosts Bethel at 7:00 PM, followed by a matchup against Goshen on Friday at 7:00 PM. For the latest updates on Aquinas Athletics, visit AQSaints.com.