CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — D'Youville (1-5, 0-0 NEC) secured a 3-1 victory over Thomas More (0-4, 0-0 GLVC) on Saturday at Connor Convocation Center, with set scores of 21-25, 25-21, 25-21, and 25-18. D'Youville's effective attack was highlighted by a .375 hitting percentage in the second set.

The first set began with D'Youville making an early service error, but they quickly leveled the score at 1-1 due to a service error from the Saints. Isaiah Tinsley (Holmel, N.J. / Marlboro) contributed a kill with an assist from Cleveland Brown Jr. (Blacklick, OH / Licking Heights), giving D'Youville a brief lead. Though the Saints responded, Ethan Robinson (Scarborough, Ontario / Neil mcNeil) and Ty Parker (Syracuse, N.Y. / Jamesville-Dewitt) kept D'Youville competitive with timely kills assisted by Andrew Haber (Whitby, Ontario / Brooklin).

D'Youville faced a challenging stretch as Thomas More capitalized on errors to extend their lead to 17-11. However, D'Youville showed resilience with a late surge, highlighted by a block from Peyton Planz (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Shaler Area) and Parker, narrowing the gap to 21-24. Despite this comeback effort, the Saints closed the set with a kill by Blake Kibler, securing a 25-21 win.

D'Youville began the second set with a strong 3-0 run, featuring kills by Robinson and Skyler Tutor (St. Cloud, FL / St. Cloud), both assisted by Planz. The set saw D'Youville maintaining a slight edge, despite a mid-set rally by Thomas More that briefly tied the score at 8-8.

D'Youville regained control as Robinson and Tutor continued to deliver key points, supported by consistent setups from Planz. The Saints pulled away in the closing stages, clinching the set 25-21 with Robinson securing the final point, assisted by Planz.

D'Youville gained momentum in the third set with a decisive sequence, starting with a block by Robinson and culminating in a service ace by Dempsey Ptaszkiewicz (Cincinnati, OH / Bishop Fenwick), taking a 5-2 lead. Tutor and Parker contributed significantly, with Parker achieving key kills to fend off the Saints' brief rallies. Despite some service errors, D'Youville maintained control, aided by Ptaszkiewicz's multiple kills and strong setups from Planz. The set concluded with a service error from the Saints, sealing D'Youville's victory at 25-21. 

D'Youville started the fourth set strong, capitalizing on an attack error by Thomas More to take the initial lead. Planz contributed with a service ace to extend the advantage. Ptaszkiewicz and Tutor each added a kill, bolstering D'Youville's position as the visitors increased their lead to 6-2.

Robinson then made a defensive impact with consecutive blocks, helping D'Youville further their lead to 9-3. Despite a few attack errors, D'Youville maintained control through effective kills from Deeraj Varma (Gaithersburg, Md. / Quince Orchard) and Ptaszkiewicz, assisted by Drew Vensko (Columbus, OH / Pickerington North).

As the set progressed, D'Youville continued to fend off the Saints' advances, with Samuel Pizarro-Amaya (Seattle, Wash. /Shoreline) and Robinson adding crucial points. Parker and Varma delivered key kills to sustain the momentum. The set concluded with D'Youville capitalizing on an attack error, sealing the set 25-18 and securing the victory. 

Robinson led the effort with 14 kills, finishing with 17.0 points and three solo blocks. Planz orchestrated the attack with 30 assists, contributing significantly to the team's offensive rhythm. Parker was efficient, recording 10 kills on 13 attempts for a .692 hitting percentage. Ptaszkiewicz added 11 kills without any errors, complementing his performance with two service aces and two block assists.

In their next game, D'Youville Men's Volleyball will face off against American International College on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. The match will take place in Springfield, Massachusetts.