Goshen, Ind. — In their final match of the season, the Aquinas men's volleyball team closed out the year with determination and resilience, battling point-for-point against a tough Goshen squad. Despite falling in straight sets, the Saints showcased their depth and versatility, with contributions coming from 10 different players across on the offensive side. The match reflected a season's worth of growth, grit, and cohesion, as Aquinas continued to compete with energy and intensity through the final whistle. While the result didn't fall in their favor, the performance offered a strong foundation and momentum to carry into next season.
Aquinas 0, Goshen 3
Alexander Rodriguez opened the match with a kill to give Aquinas early momentum in set one, but Goshen quickly responded with a five-point run to take control, 5-1. The Saints answered back with three straight kills, capped by a powerful spike from Joseph Hodgson to close the gap to 5-4. Jonathan Collins added another kill, but Goshen surged ahead again, building a 13-6 advantage. Rodriguez and Collins each contributed additional kills, though the Maple Leafs extended their lead to 24-14. Rodriguez added one more late kill, but Goshen secured the opening set, 25-15.
Set two began with Goshen taking two quick points, but Collins responded with a kill before Connor Staats delivered three consecutive service aces to give Aquinas a 4-2 edge. Goshen regained the lead, but Brock Hoffman and Langston Korte recorded kills to even the score at 6-6. Andrew Jones entered and made an immediate impact with a service ace to push Aquinas ahead, 7-6. Goshen then went on a run to take a 15-9 lead, but Staats added a kill and Hoffman recorded a solo block to slow the momentum. Zachary Nosky notched his first kill of the match, though Goshen closed out the set, 25-17.
The third set proved to be the most competitive of the night. Staats and Jayden Sturdevant opened with kills to give Aquinas a 3-2 lead. Braylon Amos earned his first kill of the match, followed by Andrew Sliwinski, as the Saints moved ahead 8-7. Sliwinski and Amos combined for a block to tie the set at 10-10, and Sturdevant added another kill to even things again at 12-12. The teams continued to trade points until Goshen edged ahead, 19-16. Nosky responded with two kills, and Staats added another to bring Aquinas within two, 22-20.
Refusing to back down, the Saints mounted a late surge, scoring four straight points highlighted by a combined block effort from Jones, Sliwinski, and Staats to reclaim the lead at 25-24. Goshen tied the set, but Sliwinski answered to put Aquinas back in front, 27-26. The back-and-forth battle continued deep into extra points, with Rodriguez tying the set at 29-29 on a clutch kill. Ultimately, Goshen prevailed in a tightly contested finish, taking the set 31-29 and the match.
Coaches Comments
"We've asked a lot of this group all year, and tonight they showed exactly who they are, resilient and willing to fight for every point," said head coach Michael Crane. "It didn't end the way we wanted, but the progress we've made and the way these guys competed gives us a lot to build on moving forward."
By the Numbers
