Grand Rapids, Mich. — I said it back when these two teams met earlier this season at Cornerstone: when your cross-town archrival is in the gym, you can throw the records out the window—it's going to be a show. That proved true again on Wednesday night, only this time it was a top-two WHAC showdown with massive title implications. Number one-ranked Aquinas hosted number two Cornerstone, and despite not firing on all cylinders, the Saints still delivered a statement sweep to inch ever closer to clinching the conference crown. Call it what you want, but the Saints' play spoke volumes—the Battle of the Beltline was all AQ, and they nailed down another "golden" victory.

Aquinas 3, Cornerstone 0 (25–21, 25–19, 25–22)

The Saints jumped out strong behind a balanced attack that kept Cornerstone guessing all night. Senior standout Cece Pelak led the offensive charge with 16 kills on a .324 hitting percentage, while Lauren Chioini was nearly unstoppable from the outside, hammering down 12 kills and hitting .333. Nevaeh Bakker continued her strong play in the middle with nine kills and a team-best .571 hitting mark, showing why she's one of the WHAC's most efficient attackers. Freshman setter Natalie West orchestrated the offense with 36 assists, spreading the ball across all hitters while adding four kills and two blocks of her own.

Defensively, Bella Hommes was everywhere, digging up 14 balls and adding two service aces, while Ki'i Rilveria and Kami Morse anchored the serve receive and kept the Saints steady against Cornerstone's pressure. Jeralyn Hoppes and Mel Beachnau both provided crucial points at the net, combining for 13 kills and four total blocks. Every time the Golden Eagles tried to rally, Aquinas had an answer—closing each set with poise, precision, and a little extra edge fitting for a rivalry night. With the sweep, the Saints improve to 21-4 overall and remain undefeated at 12-0 in WHAC play, now sitting three games ahead of second-place Cornerstone (17-5, 9-3).

By the Numbers

     • 16 – Kills for Cece Pelak, her fourth straight double-digit outing.
     • 36 – Assists from Natalie West, who continues to rank among WHAC leaders.
     • .315 – Team hitting percentage, another efficient performance.
     • 45 – Digs by the Saints, highlighting their defensive balance.

Coach's Comments

Head Coach Ryan Campbell was pleased with his team's resilience despite not playing their cleanest match:

"Tonight wasn't our sharpest, but good teams find ways to win even when they're not at their best. Cornerstone was missing their starting setter, but they're always a tough opponent and we still had to execute. I'm proud of how our players stayed composed, adjusted, and finished strong in every set. We've put ourselves in a great position to host throughout the conference tournament, but there's still work to do—we'll keep fine-tuning and getting better every day."

Up Next

While Campbell's squad celebrated a major Wednesday night win, there's little time to rest. The Saints head to Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Friday to face Indiana Tech, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday—first against UNOH at noon and then a nationally ranked Cumberlands squad at 2:00 PM. For scores, schedules, and updates, visit AQSaints.com.