Grand Rapids, Mich. – The No. 12-ranked Aquinas women's volleyball team punched their way into the history books today (Oct. 18) with sweeps over both Kuyper College and Siena Heights University. The win over Kuyper to begin the day tied the all-time Aquinas record for the most consecutive wins set back in 2010. In the nightcap, AQ picked up its 13th consecutive sweep to win the 21st game in a row and set a new Aquinas record.

The Saints have also set a record for the most consecutive sets won, a record that continues to grow with 41 consecutive sets won now. Incredibly, the Saints have not lost a set since the start of conference play at Indiana Tech on September 14th.

Aquinas now improves to 29-1 with a perfect 11-0 conference record. The Saints sit alone at the top of the conference and decide their own fate throughout the rest of the season.

#12 Aquinas 3, Kuyper 0 (25-7, 25-11, 25-11)

The Saints jumped on an early 7-3 lead that was highlighted by two kills from Michelle Domey. Aquinas went on another scoring spree to extend their lead 13-6, this time featuring big kills from Jaralyn Hoppes and Taylor Reha. Hoppes laid down four aces to aid in another rally by the Saints, and a kill from Mel Beachnau ended the set swiftly 25-7.

Raegen Doctor sparked the second set for the Saints with the first kill, propelling Aquinas to a quick 3-0 lead. Julia Schweihofer followed with an ace to stretch the lead to 5-1. Domey continued the pressure, adding an ace during a serving spree that pushed the score to 10-4. Jayla Martin contributed two key kills in separate runs, helping the Saints hold a 13-7 advantage. Taylor Reha delivered back-to-back service aces, and Arianna Black and Olivia Beachnau combined for kills, widening the gap to 18-7. Schweihofer capped the set with two more aces, securing a 25-9 win.

Cece Pelak opened the third set with a strong swing, giving the Saints a 2-1 lead. Black took advantage of an overpass from the Cougars, slamming down her second kill to extend the lead to 5-1. Kammi Morse added an ace, pushing Aquinas ahead 8-2. Tess Griffith contributed a kill, growing the Saints' lead to 11-7. Gill then stepped up, delivering two service aces to seal the final set 25-11, completing the sweep for the Saints.

By the Numbers
?        The Saints delivered 20 service aces in the match, led by Jaralyn Hoppes with 5, Audrey Gill with 4, and Tess Griffith with 3
?        Kill leaders, Beachnau (8), Domey (8), and Doctor (4)
?        Domey returned to play earning eight kills, and hitting .538
?        Sarah Curtis hit 1.000, Beachnau hit a .889, and Burke hit .750
 
#12 Aquinas 3, Siena Heights 0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-22)

On the verge of Aquinas College history, the Saints opened the first set with a commanding 11-3 lead. AQ appeared to be in position to cruise to a first-set victory, but a series of Aquinas errors put SHU back into the game. Lauren Chioini and Jenna Lee put down a pair of kills to get the momentum rolling again, followed by a Julia Schweihofer ace to take a 20-16 advantage.

SHU started to rally, but kills from Samee Teachworth, Lydia Harper, Mallory Keller, and Chioini tied a bow on the first set for a 25-21 victory.

The visitors finally took their first lead of the match early in the second set, but an 8-1 run that featured a pair of kills and a block from Angelia Cutts turned the tides of the set. Siena Heights showed some life here and there, but a five-point run to end the set gave AQ a 25-15 second-set victory. Keller started the run with a kill and Chioini supplied two blocks during the run.

Set number three was far more competitive as the set was tied at 10-10 through the first 20 points. Keller put down her third kill in the final four points followed by a block from Cutts and Chioini to take a two-point lead. However, the two sides continued going back-and-forth with SHU eventually holding a slim 20-19 edge.

Aquinas roared back after a pair of Chioini kills, a Harper ace, and an error from SHU put AQ ahead 23-20. Siena Heights answered, but Chioini continued to put the ball down, scoring the 24th and 25th points of the set. Chioini scored the last four kills for the Saints to give the Saints their 13th consecutive sweep and put the 2024 women's volleyball team into the record books.

By the Numbers

• Chioini led the team with 11 kills tonight on an impressive .391 hitting percentage. She also recorded her 200th career block with one solo block and four block assists tonight.
• Bella Hommes had a great game defensively, posting 25 digs in three sets. This is a season-high for Hommes and the most she has recorded in a match since her 2020 campaign at Eastern Michigan. 
• As a team, the Saints led in kills (41-34), aces (5-3), and blocks (9-4).
• The Saints have had SHU's number as of late, winning each of the last four matchups.

Up Next

Aquinas will look to continue building its records tomorrow with a 2:00 p.m. match against Concordia.