Grand Rapids, Mich. — For the Aquinas College women's volleyball program, dominance is no longer a storyline — it's a standard. With Saturday's sweep, the Saints extended their stunning WHAC winning streak to 44 straight conference victories, a run stretching back to the 2023 WHAC Tournament Finals. Two full seasons, zero league losses, and a brand of volleyball that has reshaped the conference landscape.
Win No. 45 will have to wait until the fall of 2026, as Aquinas now turns its full attention to the NAIA National Tournament. But what this team has accomplished — undefeated back-to-back WHAC regular seasons, consecutive tournament titles, and a streak unmatched in school history — is nothing short of historic. Anyone who watched this group in action witnessed a team rewriting what dominance looks like in the WHAC.
Aquinas' on-court excellence also translated into conference-wide recognition as the Saints headlined nearly every major award category in the 2025 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference honors release.
2025 WHAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR – LAUREN CHIOINI
Senior middle hitter Lauren Chioini delivered one of the most complete seasons in recent AQ history. With 3.41 kills per set, a .351 hitting percentage (.400 in WHAC play), 402 total kills, and 112 blocks, Chioini showcased elite efficiency and power on both sides of the net.
Coach Ryan Campbell said: "Lauren is the heartbeat of our program. Her intensity, leadership, and competitive fire make everyone around her better. When the stakes rise, Lauren rises higher — and that's what makes her one of the greats."
2025 WHAC LIBERO OF THE YEAR – BELLA HOMMES
Graduate libero Bella Hommes repeated as the league's top defender, becoming the first back-to-back WHAC Libero of the Year since 2015. Her 63 aces, 585 digs, and .956 receiving percentage established her as the defensive backbone of the Saints.
Coach Campbell noted: "Bella is the anchor of our backcourt. Her calm presence, elite instincts, and relentless drive set the tone for our defensive identity. She embodies what it means to compete."
2025 WHAC NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR – NATALIE WEST
Freshman setter Natalie West became the third straight Saint to earn the league's top newcomer honor. Running a 5-1 offense as a true freshman, she averaged 10.7 assists per set in WHAC action while adding 209 digs and 77 blocks.
Coach Campbell said: "Natalie is special. The poise she plays with at her age is remarkable. She sees the floor, she elevates our hitters, and she plays with a maturity that is rare for a freshman."
FIRST TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
• Lauren Chioini – Sr., MH
• Bella Hommes – Gr., DS
• Cece Pelak – Jr., OH
• Natalie West – Fr., S
SECOND TEAM ALL-CONFERENCE
• Nevaeh Bakker – Fr., MH
With the five AQ Saints on this group, that is almost an entire starting line-up and for Coach Campbell that speaks to why this team has not lost a conference match in over two years: "To have five players honored speaks volumes about this group. They bought into our standard every single day — and their consistency is why we sit atop this conference."
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
• Natalie West, S
• Nevaeh Bakker, MH
Many on the Aquinas Coaching staff believe the All-Freshman Team should have had a few more Saints, but are excited that this bodes well for the future of AQ Volleyball.
Champions of Character
The Champions of Character Team consists of one member from each WHAC institution who best represents the five core character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.
Aquinas' representative this season is Jenna Lee, who continues to exemplify everything the Champions of Character initiative stands for.
Coach Campbell shared high praise for her selection: "Jenna is the shining example of what it means to be a well-rounded student-athlete. She leads with grace, serves without being asked, and carries herself in a way that makes our entire program proud."
All-Academic Team
The All-Academic Team recognizes student-athletes who are sophomores or above in academic standing and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher.
All-Academic Honorees – Aquinas College
Mel Beachnau
Lauren Chioini
Sarah Curtis
Angelia Cutts
Michelle Domey
Tess Griffith
Chloe Hogarth
Bella Hommes
Jenna Lee
Kami Morse
Cece Pelak
Taylor Reha
Ki'i Rilveria
Julia Schweihofer
Coach Campbell emphasized the importance of excellence beyond athletics: "Our expectation has always been that we succeed in the classroom just as we do on the court. These young women embrace that challenge, and their academic success reflects the discipline and pride that define our program."
With the WHAC season complete and the trophy case even fuller, the Saints now await Monday night's NAIA National Tournament Selection Show. With strong national seeding, there is a high likelihood that Aquinas will host an opening-round match inside the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center.
The next chapter is about to begin — and this Saints team looks ready to write another historic one. It goes without saying that the team and their success is yet another excellent example of why every day is a great day to be a Saint!
