The AQ women's volleyball team played its first pair of home matches this season today (Sept. 10) at the Sturrus Center for the Aquinas/Cornerstone Invitational. The Saints continued their recent hot streak with a third straight 3-0 victory against the St. Thomas Bobcats. In the following match, the Saints' momentum could not be stopped with yet another 3-0 sweep against the #24 IU-Kokomo Cougars.

St. Thomas entered its match against the Saints with a record of 3-3. The IU-Kokomo Cougars entered the weekend with a 6-2 record prior to their match against Aquinas, the same team that knocked the Saints out of the NAIA National Tournament in April. AQ's impressive hot streak continued with two dominant victories.

In the 3:00 PM match, the Saints won three consecutive sets by scores of 25-15, 25-21, and 25-15. IU-Kokomo couldn't stop Aquinas either in the following match at 7:00 PM, with AQ winning by set scores of 25-19, 25-19, and 25-16.

AQ topped the Bobcats in all statistical categories, leading in kills (32-31), hitting percentage (.189-.026), assists (31-30), aces (6-3), digs (47-43), and blocks (10-4). The statistical edge helped boost the Saints to a comfortable victory.

Jackie Rozell had a team-high 10 kills (.200) in three sets, along with four block assists and a dig. Emily Jones had another great performance with seven kills (.500) and six block assists.

Chloe Mitchell averaged nine assists per set (27 total), with four digs, three block assists, an ace, and a kill. Meredith Kraus had a well-rounded match with six kills (.222), nine digs, and two block assists. Abbi Perkins was the other major statistical contributor with 5 kills (.063), an ace, six digs, and two blocks.

Against the Cougars, Aquinas dominated in all statistical categories. AQ held the advantage in kills (34-28), hitting percentage (.213-.043), assists (32-26), aces (10-5), digs (38-36), and blocks (11.5-4.0).

Rozell was also the team leader in kills the second match with 10 kills (.238), along with three aces, two digs, and two block assists. Kraus had another good outing today with seven kills (.148), eight digs, a block, and a block assist.

Jones and Perkins both contributed to another win for the Saints. Both players added 11 combined kills and five combined blocks in their big win. Mitchell averaged over nine assists per set (28 total) again out of the setter position.

AQ will be back in action at the Sturrus Center tomorrow (Sept. 11). The Saints will be facing the Rochester Warriors at 1:00 PM, along with a rematch against the IU-South Bend Titans at 3:00 PM.