SPARKILL, N.Y. — D'Youville (0-4) fell to St. Thomas Aquinas (2-5) in straight sets, 25-19, 25-20, 25-17, at the Spartan Athletic Complex on Saturday. 

The opening set commenced with D'Youville demonstrating strong offensive plays, highlighted by Skyler Tutor's (St. Cloud, FL / St. Cloud) kill from Drew Vensko (Columbus, Ohio / Pickerington North) to level the score at 1-1. Despite trailing, D'Youville stayed competitive, with Ethan Robinson (Scarborough, Ontario / Neil McNeil) delivering critical points, including a kill that brought the score to 4-5. D'Youville managed to recover from several attack errors and service mishaps to keep the set within reach, thanks to consistent contributions from Robinson and Luk Markwardt (Luebeck, Germany / Leibniz Gymnaisum Bad Schwartau). However, the Spartans maintained the upper hand, ultimately closing the set at 25-19.

D'Youville showed resilience in the second set with several key plays. Skyler Tutor and Jaden Webster (Rockford, Ill. / Guilford) combined for a block, initiating D'Youville's scoring. Luk Markwardt and Skyler Tutor delivered impactful kills, pushing D'Youville ahead at 5-2. Despite a series of service errors and attack errors that allowed STAC to remain competitive, Drew Vensko's assists kept D'Youville in contention. Dempsey Ptaszkiewicz (Cincinnati, Ohio / Bishop Fenwick) and Ethan Robinson contributed crucial points late in the set to narrow the gap. Ultimately, STAC secured the set with a score of 25-20.

D'Youville initiated the third set with a steady performance, marked by Skyler Tutor's early kill from Drew Vensko, which set the stage for a competitive exchange. Jaden Webster's service ace and Isaiah Tinsley's (Holmdel, N.J. / Marlboro) kill contributed to a brief lead at 6-3. Despite these efforts, the Spartans responded with a series of points, erasing D'Youville's advantage and gaining momentum to lead 9-8. 

D'Youville called a timeout to regroup but struggled to regain control as errors crept in, allowing the Spartans to extend their lead. The visitors narrowed the gap with a block by Jaden Webster, but the home team maintained their edge. Ultimately, STAC closed the set with a 25-17 win, concluding the match.

Skyler Tutor led the offense with six kills on 16 attempts, achieving a .312 hitting percentage, and contributed six digs defensively. Drew Vensko facilitated the attack with 23 assists, adding two kills and seven digs. Jaden Webster recorded a total of three blocks, one of which was solo, and added three kills. Dempsey Ptaszkiewicz contributed three kills on eight attempts with a .375 hitting percentage and also tallied three blocks.

The next challenge for D'Youville is set for Friday, Feb. 6. They will face Central State University with the match taking place at 7 p.m. in Wilberforce, Ohio.