Grand Rapids, Mich. — The No. 12-ranked Aquinas women's volleyball team faced off against both IU-South Bend and Cumberland on Friday (Sep. 6) for the first day of contest for the Aquinas/Cornerstone Invite. AQ laced up against IU-Southbend first and defeated them with a scoreline of 3-1. After a break, the Aquinas returned to play with Cumberland. The Saints kicked it into gear and collected the win in swift fashion with a sweep.
#12 Aquinas 3, IU-South Bend 1 (25-15, 25-16, 19-25, 25-18)
Aquinas opened strong, getting a two point lead that saw a service ace from Julia Schweihofer. IU-South Bend was able to put down a few of their own points before the Saints went on an outstanding 11-point run to put the score at 17-5. In this run Jenna Lee acquired four service aces, as well as four kills from Jeralyn Hoppes. Jayla Martin and Angelia Cutts found their swing late in the first set knocking down kills to aid the Saints in another great run of five-points stretching their lead 24-11. The Titans held on strong, making a last stitch effort and coined four points before Taylor Reha ended the set by sneaking in a kill.
In the second set, Aquinas maintained momentum, and jumped on a quick 6-3 lead with service aces from Kami Morse and Chloe Hogarth and kills from Cutts and Reha. IU-South Bend hung with the Saints until Cutts and Lee both delivered big with two kills a piece. Once again the Titans were able to make a run but the Saints dominated on the attack closing this set out 25-16.
Indiana South Bend rallied in the third set finding their own momentum gaining a 7-3 lead. Two attack errors from the Titans and kills from Hoppes and Reha made it a tie game at seven apiece. Once again IUSB pulled ahead capitalizing on some errors from the Saints and a service ace pulling ahead 14-8. Kills late in the set from Audrey Gill and Cutts helped to close the gap but the Titans were able to pull away with their lone set win, 25-19.
Despite a third set stumble, Aquinas bounced back in the fourth and final set of the match with a 2-1 lead and another service ace from Morse. Sarah Curtis was able to put down an ace of her own and Hoppes powers through for another two kills to help the Saints cruise through a seven-point run. Just one point later the Saints are back on the attack with a five-point run to put the score at 18-7. Martin put this victory in the bag with a kill to end the set 25-18.
By the Numbers
- Kill leader: Cutts nailed 15 kills hitting a .481 her career-high
- Hoppes knocks down 13 kills, also her career-high
- Reagan Doctor put up three big blocks
- Lee put down six aces
#12 Aquinas 3, Cumberland 0 (25-16, 25-10, 25-14)
AQ jumped the start with the opening of the first as they ripped five straight points to get rolling. The Saints kept distance until Cumberland found some footing and brought the match to 8-8. Aquinas revised their attack and once again pushed a distance between the teams, this time 18-11. This lead found itself extended by the end of the first as AQ put a stamp on it with a 25-16 score line.
Aquinas kept their foot on the pedal as the second set came to start. The Saints established a lead and kept it greased as AQ began to slide away with it. Aquinas collected the second set quickly with an astounding scoreline of 25-10.
The team was feeling good as they entered the third set as they looked for another sweep in their season. AQ once again jumped out in front as they extended their lead to 6-1, then 9-3. CU regained footing and managed a bounce back, bringing the score to a two points difference with the Saints leading 12-10. Seeing the Phoenix recoup, AQ once again had a show of force with another run popping the score to 17-10. The two teams traded a few points but AQ was too far and too strong and finalized the contest in the third with a 25-14 finish.
By the Numbers
- Mallory Keller continues her offensive hot streak with 18 kills, Lauren Chioini had nine as Samee Teachworth totaled six.
- AQ totaled six aces, Keller with three, Bella Hommes had two, and Jenna Lee marked one.
- Chioini continues to be a wall at the next with four total blocks, Keller was behind with three, as Cece Pelak was in tow with two.
- Lydia Harper maintains her quick touch with 33 assists on the night.
- Hommes showed her backrow speciality as she collected 19 digs, Keller found play on both sides as she tagged in for 13, and Lee totaled six.
- Teachworth has a 1.000 kill pct for the first set and finished with a .400.
- Chioini hit a .600 kill pct, Lee hit a .750 kill pct. and keller hit a .412 kill pct.
Up Next
The Saints return to play on Saturday (Sep. 7), with the second day of the Aquinas/Cornerstone Invite. AQ will take the floor at 1:00 p.m. with Concordia, and 3:00 p.m. with the University of Saint Francis.
