Sioux City, IA. — All good things must eventually come to an end, and while it wasn't the final result that Coach Ryan Campbell or the Saints had dreamed of, nothing can diminish the pride and success earned by the 2025 Aquinas Women's Volleyball team. Entering Friday with a chance to advance, Aquinas battled with determination, but second-ranked Northwestern proved too efficient at the net and too steady in transition. Despite flashes of brilliance and trademark AQ fight, the Saints saw their run for the red banner — and their remarkable 2025 season — come to a close.

Northwestern 3, Aquinas 0 (25–22, 25–16, 25–19)

Aquinas came out swinging in the opening set with confidence, feeding early touches to Cece Pelak, Lauren Chioini, and Jenna Lee. Setter Natalie West helped AQ push Northwestern, distributing the offense and keeping the Saints within reach throughout set one. Pelak, battling heavy pressure from the Red Raiders' block, still managed seven kills, while Chioini added another seven with efficient swings from the pin. West contributed five kills of her own to complement her 24 assists.

Defensively, Bella Hommes was once again the heart of the back row, recording 21 digs and refusing to let rallies die easily. Kate Schneider brought instant impact off the bench, tallying six kills and giving the Saints a mid-match spark. Nevaeh Bakker added five kills and remained steady at the net, while Kami Morse and Chloe Hogarth provided key defensive support in serve-receive and floor coverage.

As the match progressed, Northwestern's offense — led by standout attackers like Stella Winterfeld — began to apply constant pressure, forcing Aquinas into out-of-system swings. The Red Raiders' block, which tallied 14 total rejections, repeatedly disrupted AQ's rhythm. The Saints continued battling, with Julia Schweihofer and Mel Beachnau contributing defensively and on serve, but Northwestern's efficiency ultimately proved too much to overcome.

In the third set, Aquinas showed resilience one final time, cutting the deficit multiple moments behind strong swings from Lee and Chioini. However, Northwestern responded with timely sideouts down the stretch, closing the door on the Saints' hopes of extending the match.

Coach's Comments
Head Coach Ryan Campbell reflected on the end of the season, the quality of Friday's opponent, and the pride he has in his program:
"We ran into a tremendous Northwestern team today, but I couldn't be prouder of this group and everything they accomplished. This season was special — not just because of the wins or the championships, but because of how this team carried itself every single day. They worked, they grew, they fought for one another, and they represented Aquinas with class. Our future is incredibly bright, and we'll use this season as the next step the program takes toward the top of the hill."

Inside the Numbers
     • Chioini and Pelak each recorded 7 kills to lead the Saints.
     • West totaled 24 assists, 5 kills, and 9 digs.
     • Hommes collected 21 digs, pacing the back row again.
     • Schneider added 6 kills off the bench, hitting .250.
     • AQ recorded 46 total digs and 6 block assists in the match.

Up Next
The loss to Northwestern ends the 2025 campaign, but it would be difficult not to label the season an overwhelming success. Aquinas finishes the year 33–7 overall, a flawless 20–0 in WHAC play, and continues to extend what is now the longest conference winning streak in program history at 44 straight victories — a record that remains active heading into 2026.

Individual honors further highlighted the team's excellence, as Lauren Chioini, Bella Hommes, and Cece Pelak were all named All-Region First Team, while Assistant Coach Jenni Shepherd-Kelley earned recognition as the Regional Assistant Coach of the Year, underscoring the strength and leadership of the AQ staff.

With a roster rich in returning talent and only a small group of graduating seniors, next season could very well be the moment the Saints finally break through to the national quarterfinals — and perhaps even make a run at the red banner. Thank you to the 2025 Aquinas Women's Volleyball team for being winners on the court, in the classroom, and in the community — a perfect reminder that every day is a great day to be a Saint.

For full coverage of AQ Athletics, visit aqsaints.com for scores, highlights, stats, and graphics.