In a big early-season matchup of nationally-ranked teams, the (RV) Aquinas women's volleyball team recorded a clutch four-set victory in Livonia on Tuesday night (Feb. 9) over #19 Madonna. The home Crusaders took the first set before AQ stormed back to win the final three sets, claiming the win by scores of 21-25, 25-17, 25-19, and 25-20.
The two teams had just one loss between them entering the match-up and both schools were ranked inside the top-26 in the country, as Aquinas was the first team listed in the Receiving Votes category. With the win, the Saints improve to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in WHAC play and Madonna drops to 3-1 on the year and 1-1 in league matches.
While AQ held a slim 53-51 advantage in kills, the Saints hit a solid .232 and held Madonna to only a .130 attack mark. Aquinas tripled the Crusaders in total blocks (19-6), doubled in aces (6-3), and were ahead in assists (49-46). Madonna owned a 71-61 advantage in digs.
There were several terrific performances for the Saints.
Payton Klein posted a career-high 20 kills and just one error on 39 attempts for a .487 hitting percentage. She added seven digs and a pair of block assists.
Emily Jones totaled 10 block assists and eight kills without an error for a .364 attack mark.
Samee Teachworth saw her first extended playing time and responded with nine total blocks (two solo) and six kills in 13 attempts.
Kali Crawford led AQ in both assists (38) and digs (16), while delivering seven kills, six block assists, and three aces. The reigning WHAC Attacker of the Week,
Jackie Rozell provided nine kills, six digs, and five block assists.
Adrien Yondo picked up 12 digs and
Kenzi Dobosiewicz supplied nine pickups.
Trailing 22-19 in the opening set, the Saints used kills from Crawford and Jones to make it 22-21. Madonna answered with three straight points for the first set win. The Saints led 20-17 in set two and rattled off the final five points (two kills from Klein, a Crawford ace, combined block by Klein and Teachworth).
Aquinas was in front 19-17 in set three and closed the frame on a 6-2 run, ending with a Teachworth kill and a combined Teachworth-
Meredith Kraus rejection for the 25-19 win. Madonna led set four by a 17-15 score and was aiming to send the match to a fifth set, but AQ scored seven straight points (five kills, an ace, and a block) to jump in front, 22-17. Aquinas closed the set and match with Klein's 19th and 20th kills to earn the top-20 victory.
The Saints have a week off before heading to Lima, Ohio to face UNOH next Tuesday (Feb. 16) at 7:00 p.m.
