Grand Rapids, Mich. — Early in the season, a team can afford the luxury of scheduling a nonconference match, especially locally, against an NCAA Division III opponent. While the outcome may not result in a win, the experience can help establish the standard required for the grind of conference play and beyond. That was the setup Thursday night up the street at Van Noord Arena, where Aquinas tested itself against a disciplined Calvin squad.
Calvin 3, Aquinas 0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-22)
The Saints showed flashes of growth throughout the match but struggled to maintain consistency against the Knights' steady attack. Aquinas fell behind early in the opening set, as Calvin capitalized on extended rallies and service pressure to build momentum. Despite efforts from Connor Staats and Gage Dinges at the net, the Saints were unable to close the gap, dropping the first set 25-17.
Set two proved challenging for Aquinas, as the Knights controlled the tempo and limited clean offensive looks. Demetrius Baxter worked to keep the offense moving, while Andrew Sliwinski and Alexander Rodriguez contributed defensively, but Calvin's efficiency proved difficult to slow. The Saints continued to battle, yet the second set slipped away by a 25-14 margin.
Aquinas responded with its best stretch of volleyball in the third set, showing improved rhythm and energy. Jayden Sturdevant and Garrett Anderson provided sparks offensively, while Brock Hoffman and Langston Korte helped steady the front line. The Saints stayed within striking distance late, trimming the deficit and forcing Calvin to earn the final points. Ultimately, the Knights closed out the match, taking the third set 25-22.
While the final score favored Calvin, the match provided valuable reps for an Aquinas team still early in its season. The Saints continued to rotate players, gaining experience and identifying areas that will be critical as conference play approaches.
Inside the Numbers
• 18 total kills
• 31 team digs
• 16 assists
• 3 service aces
• Set-high 11 kills in the third set
Coach's Comments
Following the match, Head Coach Michael Crane emphasized the need for improvement moving forward:
"We have to be more consistent in how we prepare and how we compete. There are stretches where we do things the right way, but we need to sustain that standard. This match showed us exactly where our accountability has to improve, and that's on all of us."
Up Next
Coach Crane and the Saints will have little time to dwell on the loss, as Aquinas heads to Ohio on Saturday to battle Mt. Vernon. First serve is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, recaps, and the latest team information, visit AQSaints.com.
