GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Today the Calvin men's volleyball team picked up their third straight win when they took down the Saints of Aquinas in three straight sets in their 2026 home opener.
 
As set one got underway, both teams battled as they matched each other point for point early on. However, halfway through the set Knights took over and went on a 7-1 win to sway the momentum in their direction. Junior Daniel Rua (Medellín, Colombia/Colegio Canadiense) and junior Nick Bultje (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) both recorded four kills as Calvin claimed the first set 25-17. 
 
Calvin kept things rolling in the second set when junior Brady Gudauskas (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and senior Gabriel Laughlin (Grand Rapids, Mich./West Michigan Aviation Academy) notched early kills. Junior Justus Barbel (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) came alive when he recorded three kills while Bultje came up with a big solo block as Calvin claimed the second set 25-14.
 
In the third set, Calvin once again took an early lead before the Saints surged forward and cut the deficit to just two points. However, freshman Trevor Munk (Lombard, Ill./Timothy Christian) gave the Knights the boost they were looking for when he entered the match and recorded two quick kills and Calvin finished off Aquinas when they won the set 25-22.
 
Calvin, who improved to a 3-0 record tonight, finished the match with a .364 hitting percentage with their best performance of .400 coming in the first set.
 
Rua finished the match as the Knights lead attacker with ten kills while Gudauskas was close behind with eight kills, a team high sixteen digs and one block assist. Sophomore setter Ezekiel Jalan (Oconomowoc, Wis./Arrowhead) notched thirty-six assists. 
 
COACHES COMMENTS: "Anytime you play a home opener it's going to be tough because there is going to be a lot of emotion," said head coach Aaron Sagraves. "The guys played within themselves tonight. A lot of different lineups that we used and it was good to see a lot of different guys produce. We're happy with the win but we know that we have to do some things a lot different tomorrow because Concordia is a much different team."
 
UP NEXT: The Knights will be back in action tomorrow Friday, January 30th when they welcome Concordia Chicago to campus for a 7:30 PM matchup.