Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Aquinas College Saints volleyball team has now won 29 sets in a row with their 17 match win streak. After their sweeps over Bethel University and Judson University the Saints now hold a 25-1 (8-0) record. Lydia Harper Claimed her 3,000th career assist during tonight's (Oct.4) victories.

Aquinas 3, Bethel 0 (25-23, 25-21, 25-16) 

Mallory Keller started the first set with a powerful kill, initiating a seven-point surge for the Saints, featuring two more Keller kills and two service aces from Bella Hommes to push AQ ahead 8-1. The Saints further extended their lead with an ace and kill from Harper to make it 11-4. Bethel fought back, closing the gap to 20-19, but a dominant kill from Lauren Chioini ended their race. Samee Teachworth then laid down a kill to secure the first set victory at 25-23. 

The second set started off strong with the Saints jumping on a quick 6-2 lead with a kill from Chioini, and service ace by Harper. AQ kept chipping away at the score and extended the lead 14-8 as Jenna Lee coined a kill of her own. Once again the Pilots made a last minute push to put some pressure on the Saints but a timely kill from Keller sealed the second set 25-21. 

Keller came out firing again starting the third, recording the first five kills for the Saints giving the team a 5-4 lead. Aquinas then turned up the heat, going on a seven-point run with two service aces from Keller and a kill by Angelia Cutts to push the lead to 11-4. Teachworth added a kill, and Lee rattled off three straight service aces to increase the gap to 18-7. The Saints never laid off the gas, as a kill from Julia Schweihofer sealed the sweep with a 25-16 win?

By the Numbers 

• Harper earned her 3,000th career assist and added 38 more in tonight's victory 

• Keller coined 20 kills averaging 6.67 per set while averaging a .405 hitting percentage, and added four service aces 

• Schweihofer was one for one on kills earning a 1.000 kill percentage 

• Hommes had 15 digs and two service aces 

• Lee lead the team in blocks (4)
   

Judson started strongly by doubling the Saints score, 8-4, after a few errors from Aquinas and quick play from the Eagles. AQ began to find its rhythm taking back the lead 13-11 aided by kills from Teachworth and Keller along with a service ace from Lee. The Saints continued to push, stringing together seven-points highlighted by two service aces from Harper. Aquinas was able to take the first set 25-19. 

The Saints carried their first-set momentum into the second, earning an 8-2 lead as Keller notched two more kills and Lee added a service ace. Audrey Gill entered the match and delivered an ace to extend Aquinas' lead to 14-5. Cutts kept the pressure on with a powerful kill, pushing the Saints' advantage to 23-13. Though Judson rallied late with four unanswered points, Cutts sealed the set 25-19 with another kill.

Once again Keller claimed the first two kills for the Saints leveling the score 2-2. The Saints edged ahead 8-6, thanks to key blocks from Teachworth and Lee. The set was neck in neck but another kill by Teachworth and an ace from Hommes helped maintain the Saints lead, 20-18. In the end, kills from Lee and Cutts ended the night with a 25-22 victory. 

By the Numbers 

• Keller was the kill leader with 12, followed closely by Chioini with 11

• This sweep marked the 29th straight set win for the Saints, continuing their dominant streak

• Aquinas has now won 17 straight matches 

• Teachworth was the block leader with four in the match 

Up next 

The Saints will hit the road to play the Madonna Crusaders on Wednesday (Oct. 9) to continue on in conference play.