Box Score Southfield, MI – Knock-Knock. Who's there? Five set. Five set who? Five set Saints, as that is becoming the nickname for Coach Ryan Campbell's squad. Another epic WHAC battle unfolded at Lawrence Tech, where Aquinas stormed back from a 2–1 deficit to claim a thrilling five-set victory over the Blue Devils.
Aquinas 3, Lawrence Tech 2 (25–18, 22–25, 19–25, 25–17, 15–8)
The Saints came out sharp in the opening frame, using the steady play of Lauren Chioini and Nevaeh Bakker to build momentum. Chioini powered down kills at an efficient .424 clip, while Bakker provided consistent firepower in the middle, hitting .308 on the night. Their presence helped Aquinas grab the early edge with a 25–18 first-set win.
Momentum shifted in the second and third sets, where the Saints struggled to maintain rhythm. Despite strong defensive efforts from Bella Hommes, who scooped up 25 digs, and the setting distribution of Natalie West, who dished out 48 assists, the Blue Devils capitalized on Saint miscues to seize a 2–1 lead. Still, Aquinas refused to fold.
With their backs against the wall, the Saints regrouped in the fourth set. Cece Pelak's attacking presence came alive as she racked up 12 kills, while Mel Beachnau provided an additional spark with six kills on just 11 swings. West continued to spread the offense effectively, and Julia Schweihofer's steady serving run helped Aquinas level the match with a decisive 25–17 set four.
That set the stage for yet another trademark AQ fifth set. Chioini led the way with 17 kills, while Hommes and Kami Morse anchored the back row to stifle the Blue Devil attack. Key service runs from Hommes and Schweihofer swung momentum, and the Saints sprinted to a 15–8 finish to complete the comeback. With contributions across the board, Aquinas once again showed their toughness on the road, proving why they're earning the "five set Saints" moniker.
Inside the Numbers
Coaches Comment
After déjà vu all over again, in terms of the Saints going five sets, Coach Ryan Campbell had this to say:
"The team played solidly tonight and adjusted well when needed. We've been in a lot of five-set matches this season, so we're becoming more comfortable in those high-pressure final sets. In the sets we dropped, we played a bit too recklessly and didn't take care of the ball on serves and attacks. But we bounced back, and Bella and Julia delivered excellent service runs late in the match. Always challenging playing on the road but thankful to come out with the win."
Up Next
Homecoming Saturday, the Saints will host another tough conference foe in Indiana Tech, and will finish the grind with a WHAC match Sunday against UNOH (12:00 PM). Matches on Saturday and Sunday will stream on YouTube via @AQAthleticsNet. Joey Sutherlin will have the call on those 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
Today was one of those "everything that can go wrong, will go wrong" days in the communications world. From the stream to live stats, day to prove Murphy's Law. While I'll shoulder the blame when things aren't up to our department's standard, I have to give thanks to the GA's (especially Kennadie Minerich), Mary Takas, and our new AD Damon Bouwkamp. As the calls, texts, and emails poured in, they stayed calm and kept troubleshooting while I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Eventually, we solved the problem by thinking completely outside the box. What makes me proudest is the camaraderie—on days when nothing seems to work, the AQ spirit does. Even a tough day reminds me: it's always a great day to be a Saint. Enjoy Homecoming ??
