Grand Rapids, Mich. – The No. 11-ranked Aquinas College women's volleyball team secured their place at the NAIA National Tournament's final site with a 3-1 victory over Saint Xavier University. This milestone marks only the second time in program history the Saints have advanced to the final site and is Coach Ryan Campbell's first-ever opening round triumph. The win ties the program's single-season record at 40 and makes Aquinas the first NAIA team to reach the 40-win mark in 2024. 

Aquinas 3, Saint Xavier 1 (25-19, 22-25, 25-20, 25-20)

The Saints set the tone early in the first set with a five-point surge to lead 6-2. Saint Xavier responded with a run of their own, briefly taking a 7-6 edge. Mallory Keller's kill leveled the score, and the teams battled back and forth. Trailing by four, Aquinas roared back with an eight-point streak featuring three kills from Keller, one from Lydia Harper, and another from Lauren Chioini, reclaiming the lead at 18-14. A block by Madison Lawson and Samee Teachworth set up the first set point, and Teachworth's kill sealed the 25-19 win.

The second set was a tug-of-war, with both teams trading leads. A block by Keller and Teachworth, paired with a Chioini kill, gave the Saints an 11-8 advantage. Audrey Gil's service ace extended the margin to 14-10, but the Cougars responded with a four-point run to tie it at 15-15. Saint Xavier edged ahead late and closed the set with a 25-22 win.

Determined to rebound, Aquinas exploded in the third set with a commanding 7-2 lead fueled by kills from Keller, Lawson, and Chioini, topped off by Harper's ace. The Saints maintained their momentum, with Keller and Lawson combining for key points to extend the lead to 11-7. A series of back-to-back kills from Keller and Chioini pushed the score to 19-13, and a late four-point burst gave Aquinas set point. A Saint Xavier service error clinched the 25-20 victory.

In the final set, the Saints capitalized early with kills from Keller and Chioini, jumping ahead 7-4. Contributions from Chioini, Jenna Lee, and another ace by Gil extended the lead to 10-4. The Cougars fought back to narrow the gap, but clutch plays by Lawson, Chioini, and Harper reestablished a 17-13 Aquinas lead. A six-point surge brought the Saints to match point, and Lee's kill ended the night with a 25-20 win.

By the Numbers

• The Saints reach the final site for just the second time in program history 

• Chioini led the Saints offensively with 17 kills, hitting .517

• Harper coined 41 assists and four kills 

• Gil claimed five aces followed by Harper with four 

Up Next

The Saints advance to the NAIA National Tournament's final site in Sioux, Iowa December 4th to continue their national efforts.