Grand Rapids, Mich. – Aquinas setter Lydia Harper and right-side hitter Mallory Keller have been named NAIA Second Team All-Americans, as announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Lauren Chioini earned All-American Honorable mention honors after her incredible season. These prestigious honors cap off a historic season for the Saints, who posted an impressive 40-3 record and made a deep run in the National Tournament.
Harper earned her spot on the NAIA Second Team All-American list after an outstanding second season with the Saints, following her transfer from Miami of Ohio. The WHAC Setter of the Year, Harper also garnered First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference honors and was named WHAC Setter of the Week four times. She totaled 1,364 assists, 180 kills, 68 service aces, and 104 blocks during the 2024 campaign. Harper set a program record for most service aces per set (.49) and now holds the school record for most assists per set in a single season (10.1). Additionally, she ranks in the top five in Aquinas history for total assists (2,264) and top three for assist percentage (.658).
Keller shined in her debut season with Aquinas after transferring from Indiana State University. Her stellar performance earned her a host of accolades, including NAIA Second Team All-American, First Team All-Region, WHAC Attacker of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and First Team All-Conference honors. Keller was also named WHAC Attacker of the Week seven times during the season. Across 118 sets, the Jenison native amassed 557 kills and 41 service aces, breaking four program records along the way. Keller now holds the Aquinas records for most kills in a single season (557), most kills per set in a single season (4.72), most points in a single season (623.5), and most points per set in a single season (5.28).
Chioini capped off her stellar season for the Saints by earning All-American Honorable Mention honors. Earlier this year, Chioini was also named First Team All-Region and First Team All-Conference, further solidifying her place among the best. A consistent force on the court, Chioini recorded 341 kills while maintaining an impressive .415 hitting percentage. She also contributed 130 blocks and totaled 412 points for the season. Chioini's name is etched in the record books as well as she holds the program's highest career hitting percentage (.369) and the highest single-season hitting percentage (.415), while ranking second all-time for blocks per set (1.02).
The Saints capped off their historic 2024 season with a stellar 40-3 overall record, remaining undefeated at 18-0 in WHAC play. Aquinas clinched both the WHAC regular-season and tournament championships, solidifying their place as one of the top teams in program history. Harper and Keller further etched their names in the Aquinas record books, as they became the only two women's volleyball players in school history to earn Second Team All-American honors, continuing to break new ground and set prestigious milestones for the Saints.
