Dearborn, Mich. – The No. 12 Aquinas women's volleyball team continued their perfect WHAC run with a sweep over UM-Dearborn tonight (Nov. 6), solidifying their record at 35-1 (17-0) with just one conference game remaining. This victory clinched the outright WHAC title for the Saints and marked Coach Campbell's first time securing the title outright.

Aquinas 3, UM-Dearborn 0 (25-23, 25-13, 26-24)

The Saints opened the first set with energy, as Jenna Lee's service ace set the tone at 1-0. UM-Dearborn quickly responded, pulling ahead before kills from Mallory Keller and Mel Beachnau leveled the score at 4-4. After UMD went on a seven-point run for an 11-4 lead, the Saints regrouped with a kill by Keller and Lauren Chioini, closing the gap to 7-11. Back-to-back kills by Chioini and Beachnau brought the Saints within reach at 9-13, and Madison Lawson's service ace trimmed it further to 11-13. A strong performance from Samee Teachworth, with three kills and a block, followed by Lee's two service aces, gave the Saints a 17-15 edge. An ace from Lydia Harper, plus a block by Chioini and Beachnau, pushed the lead to 22-18, and Lee's back-to-back kills sealed the first set at 25-23.

In the second set, Keller struck first with a kill, though the Wolverines briefly took a 5-2 lead. Key kills from Keller and Lee, capped by Lawson's ace, shifted momentum back to the Saints, putting them up 8-7. Following a series of traded points, two more Keller kills and a UM-Dearborn error gave AQ a 12-9 advantage. Harper contributed a kill and an ace, extending the lead to 15-10. With kills from Keller, Lee, and Teachworth, Aquinas surged ahead 23-13. Teachworth's solo block and a UM-Dearborn error ended the set at 25-13.

UMD started the third set strong, leading 3-1, but Keller's double kill quickly tied it at 3-3. A kill from Lee and an ace from Audrey Gil pushed Aquinas ahead 8-6. After UM-Dearborn made a run, a powerful kill from Teachworth, along with blocks by Harper and Chioini, and an ace from Bella Hommes, extended AQ's lead to 14-11. The Saints maintained momentum with kills from Beachnau and Chioini to reach 17-12. The Wolverines rallied to tie it at 18-18, but Chioini's kill and a Teachworth-Lee block reclaimed a 21-18 lead. A final kill from Lee set up match point, and Keller's kill, along with a UM-Dearborn error, sealed the match 26-24.

By the Numbers 

• The Saints have sealed the outright WHAC title 

• Keller claimed 17 kills

• Chioini (.455) and Teachworth (.417) showcased their efficiency at the net with great hitting percentages 

• Lee led the Saints in aces tallying four 

• Coach Campbell claimed his first outright WHAC title 

Up Next 

The Saints will travel to Lawrence Tech for their final regular season match at 7:00 p.m., aiming to close out their undefeated conference run before starting WHAC tournament play.