Grand Rapids, Mich. – Endurance, conditioning, and finishing as strong as you start remain key points of emphasis for the AQ Men's Volleyball program as the 2026 season gets underway. For the second straight match, Aquinas showed its potential early, playing sharp volleyball in the opening set before struggling to close as the night wore on. Hosting a talented Benedictine (Mesa, AZ) squad on Coach Bo Court, the Saints delivered a strong start but ultimately fell in four sets as the Red Hawks used consistency and late-match execution to secure the win.
Benedictine 3, Aquinas 1 (23-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-16)
Aquinas set the tone early, taking the opening set 25-23 behind aggressive swings and solid serve pressure. The Saints maintained momentum into the second set, building leads and forcing Benedictine into longer rallies, but the Red Hawks narrowly edged AQ 26-24 to even the match. That turning point shifted the flow, as Benedictine began to find its rhythm offensively.
The third set was tightly contested throughout, with both teams trading points, but Benedictine again pulled away late to claim a 25-23 win. In the fourth set, the Red Hawks capitalized on extended rallies and steady serving to open separation, closing out the match 25-16.
Offensively, Jayden Sturdevant led the Saints with 16 kills, while Connor Staats added nine. Brock Hoffman contributed six kills, and Braylon Amos chipped in five. Garrett Anderson and Joseph Hodgson provided efficient offense off the bench, combining for seven kills.
The Aquinas attack was orchestrated by Ryden Luedtke and Demetrius Baxter, who combined for 41 assists. Defensively, Colin Ilagan anchored the back row with 16 digs, while Connor Staats added 11. Despite the result, the Saints once again showed flashes of their ceiling early, while gaining valuable lessons in sustaining execution against a high-level opponent.
Inside the Numbers
• Aquinas won the opening set for the second straight match
• Jayden Sturdevant led AQ with 16 kills
• The Saints totaled 53 kills as a team
• Colin Ilagan posted a match-high 16 digs
• Service Aces to Errors: Aquinas 6–12, Benedictine 3–16
Coach's Comments
After the match, Head Coach Michael Crane spoke about consistency and finishing strong:
"We're doing a lot of good things early, but volleyball matches aren't won in one set," Crane said. "We have to learn how to sustain our energy, execution, and focus from start to finish. That consistency is what will allow us to compete at a high level in the WHAC, and it's something we'll continue to demand as we move forward."
Up Next
Aquinas will not have much time to regroup, as the Saints play their first road match of the 2026 season on Monday night. AQ will travel to Olivet, Mich., to take on the Comets, with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, recaps, and the latest team information, visit AQSaints.com.
