Grand Rapids, Mich. - The No. 12 Aquinas women's volleyball team competed in an intense match-up with Cornerstone that resulted in 3-1 win for the Saints. Aquinas now stands at an impressive 33-1 overall and continues their flawless conference run at 15-0. This battle marks the end of the Saint's set-streak that stood at a remarkable 51 sets in a row, but the match-streak stays alive at 25. Head Coach Ryan Campbell earned his 400th career win!
Aquinas 3, Cornerstone 1 (25-20. 22-25. 25-20, 25-14)
Samee Teachworth and Lydia Harper combined for a big block to start the match followed by a quick kill from Lauren Chioini to give the Saints an early 2-0 lead. Cornerstone answered back with kills of their own to edge ahead 4-3. Both teams rattled off shots leaving them in a deadlock until the Golden Eagles pulled away 12-9. The Saints found their rhythm with a four-point surge, fueled by kills from Teachworth, Mallory Keller, and Jenna Lee, to reclaim the lead at 17-16. Aquinas kept up the pressure, and a Chioini kill, paired with a Harper ace, sealed the first set 25-20.
Keller struck first in the second set, giving the Saints a 2-1 edge. Both teams continued to trade points until a combined block from Teachworth and Harper pushed Aquinas ahead 8-7. The Saints then went on a five-point surge, featuring two Keller kills along with attacks from Harper and Chioini to put the team up 15-11. However, Cornerstone fought back with a four-point run of their own, seizing a late 22-20 lead. Despite a strong effort, Aquinas couldn't close the gap, and the Golden Eagles took the second set 25-22.
The Saints found themselves trailing early in the third set as Cornerstone jumped to a 3-1 lead. A timely kill from Chioini, followed by one from Mel Beachnau, helped Aquinas rally to a 4-3 advantage. Building on this momentum, AQ plowed ahead, stringing together four-points capped by a powerful Lee kill, pushing their lead to 11-6. Cornerstone fought back, leveling the score at 17-17, but Aquinas responded with a five-point burst, highlighted by two aces from Chloe Hogarth, to close the set 25-20.
Three quick kills from Beachnau, Chioini, and Keller gave the Saints an early 6-2 lead in the fourth set. Audrey Gill followed up with an ace, while additional kills from Teachworth and Lee extended AQ's lead to 12-4. A powerful kill from Beachnau doubled up the score at 18-9. The Saints maintained control, putting together a four-point streak, and a final block by Teachworth clinched the match for Aquinas 25-14.
By the Numbers
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Kill leaders: Keller (17), Chioini (15), and Lee (6)
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Dig leaders: Hommes (24), Harper (20), and Lee (11)
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Block leaders: Teacherworth (6), Harper (4), and Beachnau (3)
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Ace leaders: Hogarth (3), Gill (2), Harper (1)
- Assist leaders: Harper (29), Hommes (8), Hogarth (3)
Up Next
The Saints return to their home court for an exciting senior night match-up against Rochester Christian! AQ is set to take the court at 7 p.m., ready to honor their seniors and continue their impressive season.
