Grand Rapids, Mich. – The Aquinas College men's volleyball team welcomed the Lourdes Gray Wolves for the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Saints showed flashes of strong play and pieced together several runs throughout the match, but Lourdes ultimately claimed the contest in straight sets as Aquinas moved deeper into the regular season.
Aquinas 0, Lourdes 3
A kill from Connor Staats and a solo block by Alexander Rodriguez helped the Saints jump out to a quick 3-0 lead to open the match. Rodriguez and Jonathan Collins followed with kills to keep Aquinas ahead 5-3, while a block from Joseph Hodgson and Collins pushed the advantage to 7-4. Lourdes answered with a run to even the score, but a kill from Staats along with a Gray Wolves error put the Saints back in front 9-7. The teams battled point-for-point and were tied 11-11 before Lourdes strung together three straight points to take a 14-11 lead. Kills from Rodriguez, Collins, and Jayden Sturdevant helped Aquinas regain the edge at 16-14. Both teams continued trading points down the stretch until Lourdes pulled ahead 22-20. A big block from Ryden Luedtke and Rodriguez tied the set again at 24-24 and forced extra points, but the Gray Wolves were able to close out the opening set 26-24.
Lourdes carried that momentum into the second set, taking an early 2-0 lead before kills from Rodriguez and Sturdevant tied things at 3-3. Hodgson added a kill and combined with Luedtke on a block to give Aquinas a 6-5 advantage. The Gray Wolves responded with a five-point run to create separation at 15-8. Rodriguez added another kill and Staats delivered back-to-back service aces to cut the deficit to 15-11. Andrew Jones entered the set and immediately recorded a service ace of his own to bring the Saints within three at 17-14. Rodriguez and Collins followed with consecutive kills, but Lourdes closed out the set 25-19.
In the third set, Staats opened the scoring with a kill to give Aquinas an early 1-0 lead. Lourdes answered quickly, building a 5-2 advantage. Rodriguez and Sturdevant added kills to keep the Saints within reach at 6-4, but the Gray Wolves continued to build momentum and stretched the lead to 13-6. Staats added another kill, but Lourdes maintained control and pushed the margin to 19-9. Late kills from Sturdevant, Staats, and Rodriguez helped the Saints continue to battle, though the Gray Wolves secured the set 25-16 to complete the sweep.
Coach's Comments
"We showed some really good stretches tonight, especially in that first set where we competed point-for-point and forced extra play," said head coach Michael Crane. "Our guys are continuing to fight and learn how to stay consistent through long rallies. If we keep building on those moments and stay disciplined, we'll put ourselves in a better position down the stretch."
By the Numbers
Up Next
The Saints will be on the road next Tuesday, March 24th, to take on the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils at 7:00 p.m.
