Mt. Vernon, Ohio — The 2026 Aquinas Men's Volleyball team continues to search for consistency early in the season, and that challenge surfaced again Saturday afternoon as the Saints traveled to Ohio to face non-conference foe Mount Vernon Nazarene. Aquinas showed flashes of its potential throughout the match but was unable to sustain momentum against a disciplined and efficient Cougars squad. Playing on the road in a tough environment, the Saints were tested from the opening serve and struggled to put together complete stretches of volleyball.

Mount Vernon 3, Aquinas 0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-18)

The opening set was competitive early, with Aquinas staying within reach behind strong swings from Connor Staats and Jayden Sturdevant. The Saints traded points through the middle portion of the frame, but Mount Vernon used a late run to pull away and claim the first set, 25-19. Aquinas struggled to find rhythm offensively in set two, as unforced errors and consistent service pressure limited scoring opportunities. Despite solid efforts from Joseph Hodgson and Brock Hoffman at the net, the Cougars controlled the tempo and took the second set, 25-16.

Aquinas showed improved energy and urgency in the third set, playing more connected volleyball and staying within striking distance. Sturdevant continued to be a bright spot offensively, while Garrett Anderson and Andrew Jones helped extend rallies defensively. Demetrius Baxter worked to keep the offense organized, spreading the ball and creating chances at the pins. However, Mount Vernon remained steady in key moments, capitalizing late to close out the set, 25-18, and complete the sweep.

Staats and Sturdevant paced the Saints with nine kills apiece, while Hodgson contributed at the net on both sides of the ball. Ryden Luedtke guided the offense with 15 assists, helping Aquinas stay competitive through all three sets, and the Saints totaled 23 digs as they worked to extend points. Ultimately, early-season mistakes and an inability to sustain clean offensive runs proved costly, as Mount Vernon controlled the match from start to finish.

Inside the Numbers
    • 27 total kills
    • 26 assists
    • 23 digs
    • 4 total blocks
    • 9 kills each from Connor Staats and Jayden Sturdevant

Coach's Comments
On the ride home, Head Coach Michael Crane challenged his team to raise its standard moving forward:
"Our effort and execution have to match our ability, and right now that hasn't been consistent enough. We're making some of the same mistakes, and until we clean those up it's going to be hard to get the results we want. This group is capable of more, but it has to show on game day, especially as we move into conference play."

Up Next
The Saints will begin conference play on Tuesday, returning home to battle the Warriors of Rochester Christian at the Sturrus Sports and Fitness Center. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the match will be streamed on the AQ Athletic Network with Joey Sutherlin on the call.

For complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics, including stories, stats, recaps, and the latest team information, visit AQSaints.com.