Grand Rapids, Mich. – The No. 12 Aquinas women's volleyball team kept their momentum rolling with tonight's (Oct. 25) sweep over Defiance, further solidifying their record-breaking season. The Saints extended their winning streak to 23 matches, now boasting a 31-1 record. Aquinas also remains undefeated in conference play, now standing at a perfect 13-0.

Aquinas 3, Defiance 0 (25-15, 25-22, 25-17) 

Samee Teachworth opened the first set with a powerful kill off an assist from Lydia Harper, giving the Saints an immediate 1-0 edge. Jenna Lee followed up with a kill, and Angelia Cutts deep, delivering back-to-back strikes, fueling a three-point run that pushed Aquinas to a 6-2 lead. However, Defiance rallied with key kills and capitalized on a few Aquinas errors to take a 9-8 lead. Both teams battled for points, reaching a 13-13 tie after a Yellow Jackets error. The Saints then surged ahead, scoring eight straight points, with Lee and Lauren Chioini each adding two kills to extend the lead to 21-14. Defiance couldn't respond, and Aquinas claimed the first set at 25-15.

Once again Teachworth opened the second set with a kill, followed quickly by a service ace from Lee, putting Aquinas up 2-0. Defiance responded with a strong push, scoring four unanswered points to gain a 4-2 lead. The Saints quickly answered, coining the next five points to reclaim a 7-4 lead, bolstered by a Chioini kill and a service ace from Bella Hommes. Cutts kept the momentum going with two additional kills, and an ace from Harper extended the Saints' lead to 11-7. Teachworth powered through with two more kills, widening the gap to 17-11. Both teams traded points down the stretch, but Lee delivered the final blow with a big kill, clinching the second set for Aquinas at 25-22.

In the final set, Aquinas had to fend off a determined Defiance squad, initially falling behind 3-1. Chioini stepped up with key kills, allowing the Saints to regain a 6-5 lead. The teams continued to exchange points, reaching a 9-9 stalemate until Harper broke through with a kill, followed by a well-placed service ace from Hommes, pulling Aquinas ahead 11-9. Defiance rallied to tie the game once more at 17-17. From there, the Saints charged forward, claiming the final eight points and closing out the set with a large 25-17 victory.

By the Numbers

• Hommes racked up an impressive 18 digs 

• Chioini boasted a .474 hitting percentage and earned 12 kills

• Lee had a huge game claiming 9 kills and one ace to put up 10 points 

• The team has won 23 straight matches, and an immaculate 47 straight sets 

Up Next 

The Saints will continue on in conference play battling against Lourdes at 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 26).