Atlantic City, N.J. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Men's Volleyball team wrapped up its two-day trip to the Harrah's Hotel & Casino for the Battle 4 the Boardwalk Invitational, falling in straight sets to both Barton College and Fairleigh Dickinson University on Saturday.

Despite falling to 0-3 on the year, the Spartans gained valuable experience on the court in their season-opening tournament, and began to put its name and reputation for hard work, energy, enthusiasm and good sportsmanship on display for potential recruits, opposing teams and the volleyball community to see.

Match One Set Results vs. Barton

Set 1: Barton 26/STAC 24

Set 2: Barton 25/STAC 20

Set 3: Barton 25/STAC 18

How it Happened

• The Spartans recorded double-digit kills in two of three sets (16-11-7) with the Bulldogs for a .118 attack percentage in the opening match.
• Red-shirt Freshman Nicholas Santos (OH/OPP) paced the Spartans offense with 12 kills, six digs and two block assists. 
• Freshman Kyran Versteegen (S) and Junior Fernando Juarez (L) recorded eight digs apiece in the match.
• Versteegen also tallied 20 serve assists (6.7 assists/set), seven kills and a service ace for the maroon and gold.
• Freshman Andre Cippiciani (OH/OPP) racked up three kills, two service aces, seven digs and one block assist.
• Freshman Gabriel Vieira (OH/OPP) picked up six kills, four digs and a block assist for the Spartans.

Match Two Set Results vs. Fairleigh Dickinson

Set 1: FDU 25/STAC 18

Set 2: FDU 25/STAC 12

Set 3: FDU 25/STAC 20

How it Happened

• The Spartans recorded 23 total kills in three sets (11-4-8) with the Knights.
• Kyran Versteegen paced the Spartans offense with six kills, while Freshman Dario Caviglia (MB) had five.
• Caviglia, Gabriel Vieira, Freshman Joaquin La Jara (S), Andre Cippiciani, and Junior Cesar Contreras (OH/OPP) recorded three digs apiece in the match.
• La Jara also tallied 11 serve assists (3.7 assists/set), and a service ace, while Versteegan recorded 10 serve assists (3.3 assists/set) and a service ace.
• Senior Miles Fisher (MB/OPP/OH) tallied four kills and a block assist in the match.
• Nicholas Santos racked up three kills and a block assist for the Spartans.

Up Next

STAC opens the home portion of its 2023-24 schedule, hosting Long Island University (LIU) on Thursday, January 18 at the Joseph T. St. Lawrence Community, Health and Sports Center. The Spartans and Sharks will get underway in Hillburn, N.Y., beginning at 12:00 p.m. Ceremonies marking the inaugural men's volleyball season will be held prior to the match.