Grand Rapids, Mich. – The red-hot (RV) Saints volleyball squad returned to the Sturrus Center this afternoon (Sept. 23) to take on the No. 22-ranked Indiana Tech Warriors. Aquinas entered the clash on a six-match win streak and a 5-0 conference record that has featured three consecutive 3-0 sweeps. The visiting Warriors also come into the match with an undefeated conference record (7-0) and an impressive 12-match win streak.

With both sides undefeated in WHAC play, the winner of the match was set to claim the top spot in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference standings. 

Led by Noelle Vanoort's 17 kills, Indiana Tech picked up a massive 3-0 victory on the road against AQ. Tech won by set scores of 25-21, 25-17, and 33-31. Aquinas nearly managed to mount a comeback after trailing 23-19 in the third set, but the Warriors held on to win the match. 

Set 1: Indiana Tech 25, Aquinas 23

Jenna Lee picked up the first point of the match after a big kill from Lydia Harper. The visitors responded with a 3-0 run and commanded a slim lead to start the match. A couple of errors from AQ and a serving ace from the Warriors gave the road team an 11-7 advantage early and forced coach Ryan Campbell to use his first timeout. 

Harper and Abbi Perkins combined for the next three kills, but Tech continued to apply offense pressure, turning its lead to five points with the score now 17-12. AQ used its second timeout of the set in an attempt to stop the momentum and regroup. 

Kills from Harper and Perkins, along with a block from Samee Teachworth and Harper, gave Aquinas a quick three-point run that it was looking for. With the momentum potentially swinging, Indiana Tech used its first timeout of the match. 

That timeout proved to be effective as the Warriors closed out the first set 25-21. Harper and Perkins both generated four kills a piece to account for 50 percent of AQ's kills in the first set. 

Set 2: Indiana Tech 25, Aquinas 17

The road side continued its momentum into the second set to take a quick 6-1 lead. An IT service error, a block by Teachworth and Michelle Domey, and an ace from Julia Schweihofer gave AQ three points back. However, the Warriors responded with a five-point run for an early 11-4 advantage. 

Aquinas strung together a few points, but another run from Tech had Aquinas trailing 16-7 prior to AQ's first timeout. 

A combination of kills from Claire Phillips, Teachworth, Lee, and Perkins gave the Saints a bit of a run toward the end of the set, but the deficit was too large to overcome. Indiana Tech ran away with the second set for a 2-0 match lead. 

Set 3: Indiana Tech 33, Aquinas 31

The Saints were looking to turn the tides in the match-deciding third set. The set started close until a 4-1 run from Indiana Tech gave the visitors an early 9-6 advantage. The two sides continued going back and forth until Tech began to pull away with a 14-9 lead. Coach Campbell used his first timeout in an attempt to regroup. 

AQ stopped the run, but the Warriors wouldn't allow Aquinas to build any momentum. IT quickly ended any run that AQ would start to maintain its lead. With a 23-19 lead, the match appeared to be wrapped up. 

However, a couple of Indiana Tech errors and a pair of blocks from Lauren Chioini and Harper completely erased the Indiana Tech lead. A wild series of events ensued as the two teams traded the next 17 points following the 23-23 draw. The Warriors continued to have match-point opportunities, but Aquinas refused to give in and repeatedly tied the set. Despite Perkin's seven kills throughout the third set, the Warriors finally put the Saints away with their 33rd point of the set. 

Perkins great week continued with 12 kills (.226) this afternoon to pair with her one dig. 

Harper did a lot of everything for Aquinas this afternoon with seven kills (.313), 26 assists, an ace, 11 digs, and five block assists. 

Jordyn Carlyle also reached double-digit digs (10) and assisted two kills. 

Aquinas will look to get back into the win column with a home doubleheader on Wednesday (Sept. 27) against Grace Christian and UM-Dearborn.