Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Aquinas women's volleyball team pulled out a thrilling victory in the opening set of Friday's home match against Concordia, then cruised to consecutive 25-17 wins to earn the sweep. After trailing 21-15 in the first set, AQ battled back to prevail 32-30 and used that momentum to clinch its 13th sweep of the season.
It was a great result for the Saints (27-6, 14-3 WHAC) after a tough road loss at UM-Dearborn on Wednesday night. Aquinas topped Concordia (17-11, 8-9 WHAC) for the second time this season, including a four-set road win last month.
Although it was just the opening set, the turning point of the match seemed to be AQ's comeback victory in the frame. The Saints led 4-1, but Concordia rallied back to tie the score at 7-7. The match was tied at points 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 until the Cardinals began to force some separation between the two squads.
CUAA built a 21-15 advantage and appeared to be in complete control. Lauren Chioini put down a kill and two points later combined with Abbi Perkins for a combined block for a quick 3-0 run. AQ trailed 22-18 until Perkins registered a kill and Samee Teachworth posted a pair of blocks - one with Cece Pelak, the other with Perkins - to tie the score at 22-22.
A combined rejection from Teachworth and Lydia Harper gave the Saints a 24-23 lead and serving for set point, but an error knotted the frame at 24-24. The teams would be tied again at every point until 30-30. Perkins notched a big kill and Julia Schweihofer served up the set-winning ace to complete the wild 32-30 victory. AQ totaled 22 kills in just the first set.
The Saints used that momentum to jump ahead 9-4 in set two. AQ's lead swelled to 14-6 and eventually to 23-11 after a kill from Teachworth and back-to-back kills from Jenna Lee. Chioini ended the stanza with a kill for the 25-17 win.
Aquinas was in front 16-14 in the third set before a huge 7-0 run broke the score wide open. Teachworth posted two kills and two blocks during that run and Pelak added a kill and a rejection. Harper ended the match with a kill to clinch AQ's 27th win of the season.
Three Saints reached double-digits in kills, with Perkins leading the way with 13 kills and a .324 hitting percentage. Chioini recorded a stellar line of 13 kills in 22 attempts without an error, a .591 hitting percentage and five total blocks. Teachworth added 11 kills on 23 swings and six block assists.
Harper surpassed the 1,000 assist mark this season with a 44-assist, 10-dig double-double. She added five block assists and three kills. Jordyn Carlyle picked up a match-high 17 digs, while Pelak added 11 digs, seven kills, and three block assists.
AQ owned a wide 54-34 margin in kills and hit .248 in the victory. The Saints also held leads in assists (50-33), digs (62-57), blocks (12-4), and aces (5-1).
On Saturday, Aquinas matches up with Madonna in a noon start inside the Sturrus Center. The Saints won the final two sets in a thrilling 3-2 victory at Madonna on Sept. 29 and are looking to complete the season sweep on Saturday.
