Chicago, Ill – The Aquinas College men's volleyball team wrapped up its spring break road trip with a hard-fought match against Olivet Nazarene University on Saturday. The Saints battled throughout the afternoon and kept several sets close, but the Tigers used key runs late to claim the sweep.

Aquinas 0, Olivet Nazarene 3 

Olivet Nazarene Tigers struck first in the opening set, but back-to-back service aces from Connor Staats quickly pushed Aquinas ahead 3–1. Joseph Hodgson added a kill before Braylon Amos followed with one of his own, and Jayden Sturdevant combined for a block to help the Saints maintain a 7–4 lead. The Tigers kept the pressure on and briefly moved ahead 10–9 before Alexander Rodriguez answered with a kill to even the score. Both teams continued to trade points as the set tightened at 15–15, but Olivet Nazarene used a four-point run to take control at 19–15. Aquinas worked to close the gap but ultimately dropped the opening set, 25-19.

Rodriguez opened the second set with a kill to give the Saints the early edge, and Staats added another service ace to extend the lead. The Tigers quickly responded to tie the set before Sturdevant regained the advantage with a kill. Olivet Nazarene continued to push the pace and built an 8–5 lead before a big block from Rodriguez, Zachary Nosky, and Staats evened the score at 9–9. The teams remained close through the middle of the set, with Nosky recording a kill to tie things again at 12–12. Olivet Nazarene then created separation with a seven-point run to take a commanding lead. Aquinas attempted a late push as Rodriguez and Sturdevant delivered kills and Colin Ilagan added a service ace to pull the Saints within two points, but the Tigers held on to secure the second set, 25-22. 

Olivet Nazarene carried its momentum into the third set, jumping out to an early two-point advantage. Hodgson and Sturdevant helped keep Aquinas within striking distance early on, but the Tigers eventually stretched their lead to seven. Sturdevant and Nosky combined to halt the run and keep the Saints battling. Later in the set, Ryden Luedtke delivered a service ace to bring Aquinas within four points. Rodriguez added another kill as the Saints tried to rally, but the Tigers closed out the match, 25-21

Coaches Comments 

"We had some really good stretches, but we just couldn't sustain the pressure long enough," said Michael Crane. "The guys kept battling and showed a lot of fight late in the sets. If we can put together a few more consistent runs, we'll put ourselves in a much better position."

By the Numbers 

• Sturdevant led AQ with eight kills followed by Nosky and Hodgson with four
• Luedtke claimed 16 assists for the Saints 
• Staats tallied four service aces
• Rodriguez led the defensive side with three total blocks 

The men's volleyball team with be back in acrtion on March 17th to take on Cornerstone on the road at 7:00 p.m.