Olivet, Mich. — It's already been an incredible journey for the 2026 Aquinas Men's Volleyball team, but after opening the season with a pair of tough home losses, the Saints were hungry for a breakthrough moment. That moment arrived Monday night on the road, as Aquinas dug deep to earn a gritty five-set victory over Olivet inside the Cutler Event Center. The win marked Aquinas' first of the season and their second five-set match in just three contests, showing early resilience and growth from a team still finding its rhythm.
Aquinas 3, Olivet 2 (21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-16, 15-9)
The Saints dropped the opening set 25-21, but immediately responded with a sharp and composed effort in set two, evening the match with a 25-18 win. Aquinas continued to apply pressure in set three, trading momentum with the Comets in a tightly contested frame that saw the Saints come up just short, 26-24. Refusing to let the match slip away, Aquinas reset and dominated set four, cruising to a 25-16 victory to force a decisive fifth set.
Offensively, Aquinas was powered by a balanced attack, led by Connor Staats, who delivered a standout performance with 16 kills on .429 hitting while adding six service aces and eight digs. Jayden Sturdevant was equally impactful, pacing the Saints with 17 kills and providing steady production across all five sets. Braylon Amos was efficient in the middle, hitting .462 with seven kills, while Brock Hoffman added seven kills, four service aces, and a team-high three block assists to strengthen the Saints' presence at the net.
The Saints' offense flowed smoothly thanks to strong distribution from Demetrius Baxter and Ryan Luedtke, who combined for 50 assists and kept Olivet's defense off balance throughout the night. Defensively, Aquinas stayed composed in extended rallies, recording 32 digs as a team, with Staats again leading the charge from the back row. The Saints also applied consistent pressure from the service line, finishing with 14 aces and forcing Olivet into difficult offensive situations.
The fifth and final set showcased Aquinas at its best. The Saints jumped out early, using aggressive serving and disciplined defense to build momentum. Key kills from Jayden Sturdevant and Connor Staats helped Aquinas create separation, while timely blocks from Brock Hoffman and Braylon Amos stalled any Comet comeback. With confidence growing point by point, Aquinas closed the match with authority, as Connor Staats slammed the door with back-to-back service aces, sealing the 15-9 win and the Saints' first victory of the season.
Inside the Numbers
• 57 total kills
• .353 team hitting percentage
• 14 service aces
• 54 assists
• 10 total blocks
· The Saints are 1-0 when Deputy AD Connor Leppink is drafted to drive the 2nd van.
Coach's Comments
Following the first win of 2026, Head Coach Michael Crane reflected on the effort and growth of his team:
"I loved the way our guys stayed together tonight. We didn't panic when things got tight; we trusted each other, and we kept competing. Getting our first win on the road says a lot about the character of this group and the direction we're heading."
Up Next
The Saints will return to action on Thursday, heading up the street to take on the Knights of Calvin under first-year coach and former Cornerstone AD Aaron Sagraves, with first serve scheduled for 7:30 p.m. AQ will then head to Ohio on Saturday to battle Mt. Vernon, with a 2:00 p.m. start.
For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, recaps, and the latest team information, visit AQSaints.com.
