Grand Rapids, Mich. — To be cliché, in a rivalry match-up, like AQ and Cornerstone, you can throw the records right out the back window. BUT, rivalry aside, these are two of the top teams in the conference, and while it's early in the season, neither coach nor the squads will be naïve about the importance of this Friday night affair. The Saints are a team that is still looking to get in sync and acclimate new players to Coach Campbell's brand of volleyball. But it ended up being a slugfest that went down to the fifth set and final serve before AQ escaped with a massive road win, in an exceptionally entertaining (albeit nerve-wracking) contest.

Aquinas 3, Cornerstone 2 (18–25, 25–21, 25–21, 26–28, 15–13)

Lauren Chioini turned in a career night for the Saints, posting a personal-best 25 kills on an efficient .378 hitting percentage. She also added three block assists, finishing with a match-high 26.5 points. Chioini's relentless attacking lifted Aquinas in the critical moments, helping swing the momentum back after a tough opening set and sealing the Saints' late-set rallies in both the third and fifth frames.

Guiding the offense was setter Natalie West, who also reached a career milestone with a career-high 59 assists. West not only distributed the ball with precision but also chipped in five kills, 15 digs, and a service ace, showcasing her all-around game. On the outside, Cece Pelak delivered 22 kills and three aces, while Nevaeh Bakker added nine kills to bolster the Aquinas attack.

Defensively, the Saints showed the grit needed to outlast a rival. Libero Bella Hommes led the team with 17 digs, while Jenna Lee added 13 and Chloe Hogarth contributed four. The Saints totaled 65 digs as a team, repeatedly denying Cornerstone's big swings and forcing extended rallies. That toughness allowed Aquinas to survive a back-and-forth fourth set before holding on for the narrow 15–13 win in the fifth, capped off with an ace from Pelak to seal the match.

The victory marks the sixth consecutive time that Aquinas has defeated Cornerstone in women's volleyball, cementing their dominance in the rivalry. More importantly, the Saints improved to 10–4 overall and 2–0 in WHAC play, continuing to build confidence early in the conference schedule. The win also underscores the balance of high-level offensive production paired with defensive resilience that will be vital as WHAC play intensifies.

Inside the Numbers
• Lauren Chioini – career-high 25 kills, .378 hitting, 26.5 points
• Natalie West – career-high 59 assists, plus 15 digs
• Cece Pelak – 22 kills, 3 aces, 25.5 points
• Bella Hommes – team-high 17 digs
• Sixth straight victory over Cornerstone in women's volleyball

Coaches Comment
Following a week to prepare for this all-important WHAC conference backyard match, Coach Ryan Campbell had this to say about his team: "Defense was a huge factor in our match. We had players play all out and got digs up I haven't seen them all season. Very proud of this team and their resilience."

Up Next
Homecoming week is upon us and for the AQ Saint's Women's Volleyball team, that means a brutally busy week. First a road conference match, with the always competitive Lawrence Tech. Homecoming Saturday they will host Indiana Tech, and will finish the grind with a pair of matches Sunday against UNOH (12:00 PM) and Governor State (4:00 PM). Matches on Saturday and Sunday will stream on AQSaints.com, with a backup stream available on YouTube via @AQAthleticsNet, if needed. Joey Sutherlin will have the call on those three matches. Fans are encouraged to visit AQSaints.com throughout the weekend for live stats, stories, and recaps.

Final Thoughts from Joey's Wacky World of AQ Sports
It's no surprise that the AQ community continues to prove itself as the best—loyal, supportive, and always willing to travel to back our teams. That was on full display Friday night at Cornerstone and serves as the perfect segue into Homecoming week. We're excited to kick things off with a soccer doubleheader on Saturday, and we hope to see you there. The Saints of today are the alumni of tomorrow, and this week is a reminder of just how incredible and prideful our Aquinas alums are. They set the standard for what it means to say, "It's a great day to be a Saint!"