The Aquinas women's volleyball team traveled down to Mishawaka, Indiana to play their first of four games in the Crosstown Showdown on Friday (Aug. 27), hosted by Bethel and IU-South Bend. AQ started off the day with a big 3-1 win against Mount Mercy. In the following match, the Saints started off the match with a 1-0 lead, however, the Saints were not able to stop the rally from Bethel, being topped by a score of 3-1. 

Mount Mercy and #25 Bethel both entered the day with one tally in the loss column. The Saints certainly managed to hold their own against two talented teams and come out with a 1-1 split. 

In the 3:00 PM game, the Saints took the second, third, and fourth sets to earn a four-set victory by scores of 21-25, 25-19, 25-21, and 25-19. Bethel reversed the roles in the following match at 5:00 PM. The Saints started off winning the first set 25-23. The next three sets were not as kind to the Saints, losing by scores of 20-25, 17-25, and 23-25.

AQ comfortably lead the Mustangs in all statistics categories. The Saints led in kills (51-40), hitting percentage (.210-.103), assists (46-33), aces (7-4), digs (78-65), and blocks (9-5). That statistical edge provided a straightforward path for the win.

Meredith Kraus set a career-best 17 kills with an impressive .538 hitting percentage, along with nine digs and 4 assisted blocks in the winning effort. Abbi Perkins also had a career best afternoon, posting 14 kills and a .348 hitting percentage. Abbie Harpenau was the third Saint to set a career-high in kills, posting ten kills on a huge .562 hitting percerntage!

Adrien Yondo had a solid game out of the libero position with 24 digs in four sets. Jackie Rozell  was the other major contributor in the attack with eight kills.

Against the Pilots, AQ fell behind in the majority of the statistical categories. Bethel lead in kills (48-38), hitting percentage (.128-.046), assists (42-33), aces (6-4), digs (56-55), and blocks (11-10).  

Rozell had another good match this season with 16 kills (.297). Kraus was involved in all parts of the match, contributing 11 kills, 9 digs, and 2.5 blocks.

Aquinas plays again tomorrow in South Bend, Indiana (Aug. 28). The Saints will be taking on Campbellsville at 11:00 AM and IU-South Bend at 2:00 PM.