Grand Rapids, MI – They say it never gets easier in the WHAC, but for Coach Ryan Campbell's squad, the challenges are shaping them into a mature, refined, and battle-tested group. After surviving another five-setter earlier in the week at Lawrence Tech, the Saints returned home to the Sturrus Sports & Fitness Center on Saturday afternoon. This time, against WHAC and NAIA powerhouse Indiana Tech, Aquinas didn't need five sets. In front of a lively homecoming crowd, the Saints put together one of their most complete performances of the season, defeating the talented Warriors in four sets.

Aquinas 3, Indiana Tech 1 (25–19, 20–25, 26–24, 25–22)

From the opening whistle, the Saints looked sharp and energized. Junior outside hitter Lauren Chioini set the tone early, finishing with a match-high 22 kills on an efficient .370 hitting percentage. Chioini's relentless attacking kept Indiana Tech's defense scrambling and ignited the Saints' momentum in the first set, which AQ closed out 25–19.

The Warriors bounced back in the second set to even the match, but Aquinas showed its trademark resilience. The third set turned into a classic back-and-forth battle with 11 ties and five lead changes. Clutch swings from Cece Pelak, who tallied 18 kills, and a steadying presence from setter Natalie West, who dished out 52 assists, pushed the Saints to a pivotal 26–24 victory in the frame.

With the match on the line, Aquinas stayed poised in the fourth. Sophomore Nevaeh Bakker chipped in 10 kills, while defensive specialist Bella Hommes anchored the back row with a team-high 28 digs. The Saints closed out the set 25–22, sparking a loud celebration from the homecoming crowd.

Other key contributions came from Mel Beachnau, who added nine kills on a .389 hitting clip, and the steady defensive play of Kami Morse and Jenna Lee, who combined for 22 digs. As a unit, the Saints hit .260 as a team while holding the Warriors under .200, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive grit.

Inside the Numbers

•      Chioini's 22 kills led all players, paired with four blocks for 24 total points.
•      Pelak notched 18 kills and 10 digs for a double-double.
•      West handed out 52 assists, adding three service aces and seven digs.
•      Hommes posted a match-best 28 digs, spearheading the defense.
•      Bakker chipped in 10 kills on a .308 hitting percentage.

Coaches Comment
Coach Ryan Campbell joked about finally winning in less than five sets but remained focused on growth: "It feels good to get a four-set win for once, but more importantly, I'm starting to see our improvement show up in big moments. We're getting better, but we have to keep building and sharpening our game if we want to reach our full potential."

Up Next
The Saints, now 12-4 overall and 4-0 in WHAC play, wrap up homecoming weekend on Sunday with a noon contest against UNOH. Fans are encouraged to attend, but the match will also be streamed live on YouTube via @AQAthleticsNet with Joey Sutherlin on the call. As always, visit AQSaints.com for live stats, stories, and recaps.

Final Thoughts from Joey's Wacky World of AQ Sports

I would be remiss if I didn't speak about not only how wonderful Homecoming has been, but also how the inauguration of Sister Maureen Geary tied everything together to create the perfect combination for a truly special weekend. The energy of our alumni, the pride of our students, and the spirit of celebration were made even more meaningful by welcoming Sister Maureen as the 10th President of Aquinas College.

Sister Maureen is a selfless person of deep faith, the most humble and dedicated individual, and I believe she is exactly what the AQ community needs as we look ahead to a bright future for the college we all love. While she requested only the bare minimum of bells and whistles for the celebrations, her warm smile and gracious spirit elevated an already remarkable week. A heartfelt thank you as well to the Dominican Sisters ~ Grand Rapids; my interactions with so many of these incredible women of faith were inspiring and unforgettable.

All I can say—and I'm confident the entire Saints community shares this feeling—is simply this: Thank you, Sister Maureen!

And as for me, I'll just keep pinching myself, because with a week like this, it's easy to see why it's always a great day to be a Saint.