Sioux City, IA. — For a moment, it felt like destiny. Aquinas stormed onto the national stage and punched their way to a 2–0 match lead, then sprinted ahead 5–0 in the third set, sending the Saints' faithful at the Tyson Events Center into a roar that echoed the thrill of making the final twenty-four. But momentum can be fickle in postseason volleyball, and Lewis-Clark State seized a sliver of daylight and turned it into a comeback that stunned the Saints.

Lewis Clark State 3, Aquinas 2 (22–25, 20–25, 26–24, 25–17, 15–8)

Behind big swings from Cece Pelak, Lauren Chioini, and Nevaeh Bakker, Aquinas continued to push, but the Warriors steadily chipped away until the tide fully reversed. With the third set tied at 22–22, Aquinas appeared to win the rally on a clean attack, but the first of two controversial calls went against the Saints — a decision that, if ruled differently, would have ended the match in three. Instead, the door cracked open, and the Warriors seized all the momentum.

The Saints tried to reclaim control through Natalie West's smooth setting and timely kills, and Pelak kept hammering away as she totaled 16 kills on the night. Chioini matched her with 16 more, while Bakker contributed 10 kills and four blocks to try to halt the Warriors' surge. Bella Hommes anchored the backcourt with 25 digs, keeping AQ alive in rally after rally. Jenna Lee (8 kills), Mel Beachnau (5 kills), and Kate Schneider off the bench all delivered key sparks as the match pushed deeper into tension-filled territory. Still, Lewis-Clark State continued to apply pressure.

In the fourth set, the Warriors' block forced Aquinas out of rhythm, and the Saints couldn't regain the spark that marked their early dominance. By the fifth, momentum had fully swung, and despite the Saints battling for every point, the Warriors completed the comeback. What began as the "thrill of victory" shifted painfully into the "agony of defeat," as AQ dropped a match they once firmly controlled.

Coach's Comments
Head Coach Ryan Campbell spoke about his team's resolve and the emotional swings of postseason volleyball:
"We are heartbroken, no question about it. We were a swing or two away from ending it in three, and sometimes the toughest part of this sport is accepting how quickly momentum can turn. But this group has never folded, not once. We will regroup, we will learn from tonight, and we'll step back on the court tomorrow with the same belief that brought us here. Our season is far from over, and I trust this team to respond the right way."

Inside the Numbers
     • Pelak and Chioini combined for 32 kills to lead the Saints' attack.
     • West dished out 40 assists while adding 5 digs and 2 aces.
     • Hommes anchored the defense with a match-high 25 digs.
     • Bakker contributed 10 kills and a team-best 4 blocks.
     • Aquinas recorded 86 total digs as a team, battling through long rallies all night.

Up Next
The Saints will have no time to dwell on the tough loss. They return to action on Friday afternoon against the #2 team in the nation, Northwestern. Ironically, Aquinas' path to the final eight remains largely the same — even if they had won in five sets. With a victory over the Red Raiders, AQ can still punch its ticket to the quarterfinals. First serve is scheduled for 4:30 pm. A watch party in Wege will once again be available for fans to cheer on the Saints and enjoy dinner together. For full coverage of AQ Athletics, visit aqsaints.com for scores, highlights, stats, and graphics.