Grand Rapids, Mich. — The Aquinas women's volleyball team claimed victory last night (Oct. 27) in a highly entertaining match against Concordia and then found themselves in a more exciting and competitive match today (Oct. 28) against Madonna. The Crusaders took the first two sets and attempted to run away with the whole match. Aquinas pulled back on the reigns and took the third and fourth, pushing this exhilarating match to a fifth set. Ultimately, Madonna would edge out the Saints and take the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.

This was the second time that these two top-three WHAC teams faced off this season, the first being at Madonna. That match was also pushed to a fifth set and the Saints closed it out for the win. Madonna made way for Grand Rapids this afternoon hoping to flip the script and take down Aquinas.

The first set Madonna was out in front of Aquinas from the start. The Crusaders held a three point difference for a healthy portion of the first. Aquinas would fight back and close the gap. But Madonna would strike the nail on the head and punch in the first set, 25-21.

Madonna would continue their agenda going into the second, quickly finding their stride and once again extending to a 8-5 lead. AQ would capitalize on Crusader attack errors and take the lead 13-10. The Saints push their lead to 15-10 with a kill from Lauren Chioini and an ace from Julia Schweihofer. Here the Crusaders would take advantage of errors on the Saints. Taking back the momentum and pushing forward for a straight four points, putting Madonna a score over Aquinas, 16-15.

The two teams would be neck-in-neck in the final stretch of the set, but Aquinas would manage to push the lead 24-22. But the Crusaders would push with a conquest and take the next four points, stealing the set 26-24.

Once again the Saints would find them selves down 2-0 and backed into a corner. But AQ only becomes more ferocious in these conditions. The Saints would push to a quick 4-0 start. The Crusaders knew they were just a set away from taking down Aquinas and continued to find and pick advantages. The Crusaders and Saints would then battle rallies back and forth, but Madonna would find the light and take their own run. The set stood still at 6-6. 

AQ would find the courage and make a dramatic extension, putting the game at their advantage 10-7. Aquinas began to set the tone with another run, this time of five points making it 15-7. The teams would exchange points back in forth in both singles and pairs. The Crusaders would make a dent in the differential but the gap was too great. Aquinas slams the set 25-14.

The Saints have found their stride and took the set convincingly, giving the home crowd the glimmers of a reverse sweep.

Entering the fourth set Madonna would strike first but Aquinas would strike harder in return, giving themselves a staggering 9-1 start. AQ would rinse and repeat the previous set by going on runs, conceding a few points, then once again making a run. Madonna would take more ground this set but Aquinas lumbers away by claiming the set 25-16.

The atmosphere in the Sturrus Center was electrifying as these top WHAC teams would take it the distance for the second time this season. Madonna collected themselves after losing the past two sets, and knew they had to come back swinging. The Crusaders would just barely squeeze in by AQ taking the midway lead 8-7.

Madonna pushed their lead to 10-7, Aquinas would answer with a timeout. This time the Saints had to collect themselves. The timeout would prove useful as AQ went on to even it 10-10. The Crusaders of Madonna would refuse to lose in another fifth set to AQ, this time in Saints country. Madonna would quickly strike five times and take the set 15-10, stamping the match 3-2.

Abbi Perkins led the Saints in kills with 22, followed by Jenna Lee (9) and Samee Teachworth (9). Aquinas claimed seven aces total, Jordyn Carlyle (3), Scweihofer (2), and Jennifer Johnson (2). Chioini would be in the holiday spirit and be a monster on the net stamping home six blocks, Teachworth and Perkins followed with three, while Jeralyn Hoppes would claim a monstrous solo block as well.

Lydia Harper continues to be a dangerous set piece in motion with 45 assists, Carlyle tagged in with six, while Cece Pelak came up with three. Carlyle claimed a staggering 20 digs, Harper made 11, and Pelak tapped in with eight.

This match puts Aquinas at 27-7 overall (14-4 WHAC) on the season. The Saints are back on the road next week Wednesday (Nov. 1) for a 7 p.m. conference match up with Rochester.