South Bend, IN — One thing's for sure about the 2025 Aquinas women's volleyball team: they know how to keep fans on the edge of their seats. Every match feels like it could be powered by Energizer batteries — because they just keep going, and going, and going. After grinding through a pair of five-set thrillers on Friday, how did the Saints follow it up on Saturday? With two more epic showdowns that (wait for it) went the distance. If nothing else, Coach Ryan Campbell's squad is making sure they'll be one of the best-conditioned teams in the country.

Match 1: Aquinas 3, Indiana East 2 (22–25, 25–16, 25–15, 19–25, 15–8)

The Saints opened Saturday's slate with another five-set battle, this time coming out on top with a gritty 3–2 win over Indiana East. Aquinas leaned on its offensive balance and defensive intensity to outlast the Red Wolves and build momentum during the IUSB/Bethel Tournament.

Cece Pelak led the charge with 16 kills and two aces, while Lauren Chioini had one of her best performances of the weekend, tallying 14 kills on a .355 hitting percentage. Jeralyn Hoppes added five kills and a service ace, and Nevaeh Bakker contributed at the net with two kills, three block assists, and a solo block. Off the bench, Mel Beachnau sparked AQ with three kills in limited action, and Audrey Gil chipped in a key ace to keep momentum rolling.

The setters kept the Saints' attack in rhythm. Taylor Reha dished out 28 assists and added three kills on a .400 clip, while Natalie West handed out 11 assists and chipped in defensively with four digs. Bella Hommes anchored the back row with a match-high 25 digs to go along with a service ace, while Chioini and Hoppes combined for eight additional digs to steady the defense.

The decisive fifth set showcased Aquinas' composure under pressure. After splitting the first four sets, the Saints stormed ahead early behind kills from Pelak and Chioini. With the score tight at 8–6, Hommes delivered a crucial service run that stretched the lead, and Pelak capped the surge with her final kill to seal the 15–8 victory. It was a statement finish for a team learning how to close out tough matches.

With the win, Aquinas improved to 5–2 on the season and set the tone for the rest of the day. The Saints returned to the court in the afternoon against Columbia International University, looking to build on their momentum — and maybe, just maybe, wrap up a victory without needing all five sets (though as long as they win, Coach Campbell won't complain).

Match 2: Columbia International 3, Aquinas 2 (17–25, 25–21, 28–26, 18–25, 15–13)

The Saints battled through their fourth straight five-set match of the weekend, but came up just short in a 3–2 setback against Columbia International. Aquinas (5–3) showed plenty of firepower and resilience, winning the first and fourth sets to force a deciding frame, but the Rams edged out the final points to deny AQ a sweep of the day.

The offense was led by Lauren Chioini, who hammered 17 kills while hitting .267, and Nevaeh Bakker, who was nearly unstoppable in the middle with 16 kills at a blistering .640 clip. Cece Pelak added 11 kills and two aces, while Jenna Lee contributed six kills, 11 digs, and a pair of aces. Off the bench, Mel Beachnau and Michelle Domey chipped in timely kills, while Hoppes added four kills and two service aces to keep the offense balanced.

The setting tandem of Taylor Reha and Natalie West kept the attack flowing, with Reha dishing out 40 assists to go with nine digs and two kills, while West added 18 assists, six digs, and a service ace. Bella Hommes anchored the back row with 24 digs and a service ace, while Chloe Hogarth picked up 12 digs of her own. At the net, Chioini, Bakker, Lee, and Hoppes all contributed blocks to slow down CIU's attack.

The fifth set once again came down to the wire, featuring eight ties and four lead changes. Aquinas grabbed momentum midway through the frame on back-to-back kills from Bakker, but Columbia International answered with a late surge. Pelak added a clutch kill to pull the Saints within one at 14–13, but the Rams closed out the match on the next rally. Despite the loss, the Saints once again proved their ability to battle point-for-point with strong opponents, showcasing depth and determination across the roster.

Inside the Numbers

• Nevaeh Bakker was dominant in both matches, finishing with 28 kills on the day, highlighted by a blistering .640 hitting percentage against Columbia International.
• Lauren Chioini tallied 31 total kills on Saturday, including 17 in the nightcap, providing consistent firepower on the outside.
• Bella Hommes anchored the back row with 49 digs across the two matches, averaging nearly five per set while adding a pair of aces.
• Taylor Reha piled up 68 assists across the two contests, including 40 in the nightcap, while also chipping in multiple kills.
• Cece Pelak added steady production on both ends, recording 27 kills and four aces, with several coming at critical points in both five-setters.

Coaches' Comments

Following the holiday weekend tournament, Coach Ryan Campbell reflected on the growth of his team: "We talked yesterday about still working to find the right lineup, and I think today showed just how many players are stepping up and giving us options. Playing back-to-back five-set matches again takes a lot of grit, and I'm really proud of how our team kept fighting all day. Even though we split, the effort, resilience, and togetherness we showed says a lot about where we're headed as a group."

Up Next

The Saints will now turn their attention to WHAC play with a record of 5–3. They'll open the conference slate in Adrian with a match-up against Siena Heights in a battle of the Saints. Following that contest, AQ will co-host a weekend tournament, playing four matches. Fans can follow all the action at AQSaints.com.

Final Thoughts

The weekend in South Bend proved two things about Aquinas volleyball: this team has the talent and toughness to battle with anyone, and they're never going to shy away from a challenge. Four matches, four five-set thrillers — the Saints leave the IUSB/Bethel Tournament with a battle-tested roster and the type of experience that pays dividends once the grind of conference play begins.

As the WHAC season approaches, Aquinas remains one of the league's favorites to contend at the top of the standings and earn national recognition. With offensive weapons like Pelak, Chioini, and Bakker, steady setters in Reha and West, and defensive anchors like Hommes, the Saints have the depth and balance to compete with the best in the NAIA.

That said, the coaching staff knows there are areas to sharpen — from closing out tight sets to minimizing errors in crunch time. But if this weekend proved anything, it's that Campbell's squad has the grit, resilience, and championship potential to be a force in the WHAC and on the national stage.