Adrian, MI — This has been a wild ride of a season for the Aquinas Men's Volleyball team. For Coach Michael Crane's squad, 2025 was a rebuilding year — a young, undersized group still finding its identity. But what they may have lacked in height, they made up for in grit, heart, and athleticism. Following last night's loss to Lourdes, AQ was officially eliminated from the WHAC Tournament. While that was a tough blow, anyone who has watched this group knows one thing for sure: they don't quit — not ever. They support one another, battle together, and play with pride.

The Saints traveled to Adrian for one final outing and were swept by Siena Heights in three sets, but they never backed down, playing hard until the last whistle.

Siena Heights 3, Aquinas 0 (25-12, 27-25, 25-18)
The Aquinas men's volleyball team dropped its season finale in straight sets despite a strong push in the second frame. Siena Heights came out swinging, hitting a scorching .450 in the first set while limiting Aquinas to a -.115 percentage, cruising to a 25-12 win.

In the second, Aquinas showed their resilience. Behind more efficient hitting and sharper defense, the Saints nearly stole the frame. Connor Staats and Andrew Jones sparked the offense — Staats finished with eight kills, while Jones tallied seven. AQ extended the set to extra points before narrowly falling, 27-25.

The third set saw more fight from Aquinas, but Siena Heights' consistent attack (.381 hitting) and stout net defense closed the match. The Saints put up 34 assists, four blocks, and two aces in a gritty effort.

Leading the way at the net were Staats (8 kills), Jones (7 kills, 8 digs), and Alexander Rodriguez, who was nearly flawless with a .714 hitting percentage on 5 kills in 7 attempts. Rodriguez and Zachary Nosky each notched three blocks, while Julian Fira distributed 15 assists and added a service ace.

Despite the loss, the Saints' heart was on full display, and this young squad is already laying the foundation for a breakout season in 2026.

Team Stats Recap:
• Connor Staats: 8 kills, 2 digs, 1 block, 8.5 points
• Andrew Jones: 7 kills, 1 ace, 8 digs, 1 block, 8.5 points
• Alexander Rodriguez: 5 kills, 3 blocks, 6.5 points
• Zachary Nosky: 4 kills, 3 blocks, 6 points

Coach's Comments
Head Coach Michael Crane reflected on the match and the team's growth:
"I'm proud of this group — we knew this year would be about building something bigger than just wins and losses. These guys bought in, worked hard, and believed in each other. The improvement from last season to now speaks volumes. We're setting the foundation, and the future looks bright."

Up Next
The loss to Siena Heights marks the conclusion of the 2025 season for AQ Men's Volleyball. While the team didn't qualify for the WHAC Conference Tournament, the improvement is undeniable. Just one year ago, the Saints finished 3-33 overall and 1-17 in WHAC play. This season, they posted a 9-17 overall record and went 4-11 in the conference — tripling their total wins and quadrupling their conference victories. In several matches, AQ was only one or two plays away from a win.

That kind of progress is something to celebrate. Congratulations to Coach Michael Crane and the Aquinas Men's Volleyball team on a season that proved this program is on the rise.