Grand Rapids, MI –
The AQ community might still be feeling the aftereffects of a jam-packed Homecoming weekend, but the WHAC voters were wide awake, handing out a clean sweep of the Women's Volleyball Player of the Week awards to three Saints.

Defensive Player of the Week

#11 Bella Hommes – Defensive Specialist – 5'8 – Gr. – Grand Rapids, MI

Hommes once again anchored the Saints' back row with her consistency and composure. Across the three WHAC victories, she racked up 74 digs, highlighted by a 28-dig outing in the four-set win over Indiana Tech. She added six service aces in the five-set thriller at Lawrence Tech, helping swing momentum back in AQ's favor. Her reliability in serve receive and ability to track down balls in extended rallies gave the Saints confidence in every rotation.

Hommes' leadership extends beyond just her defensive numbers. She continually steadies her teammates in pressure moments, ensuring the Saints' system stays intact when points hang in the balance. In a week where Aquinas needed grit against two conference powers before finishing with a dominant sweep, Hommes' consistency was a difference-maker.

Coach Ryan Campbell said, "Bella is the heartbeat of our defense. She makes the plays that don't always show up on the highlight reel but are the reason we can transition into our offense so effectively. Her ability to cover the court and lead with her voice has been crucial to our success."

Setter of the Week

#3 Natalie West – Setter – 5'11 – Fr. – Livonia, MI

West orchestrated the Aquinas attack with poise well beyond her freshman status. Over the three matches, she piled up 136 assists, including a season-high 52 against Indiana Tech and 48 more in the five-set road win at Lawrence Tech. Her decision-making kept defenses guessing, and her ability to push tempo opened up hitters in all areas of the court.

West also added offensive versatility, collecting nine kills of her own on the week while delivering timely service pressure with five aces across the three matches. Her court awareness and ability to distribute effectively to her hitters proved pivotal in Aquinas hitting above .300 in two of the contests.

Coach Ryan Campbell said, "Natalie continues to impress us with how quickly she's adapted to the college game. She's not just running our offense; she's elevating it. Her ability to spread the ball around and read defenses is something you don't often see in a first-year player."

Offensive Player of the Week

#18 Lauren Chioini – Middle Hitter – 6'1 – Sr. – Bloomfield Hills, MI

Chioini delivered a dominant week at the net, finishing with 48 kills over three matches. She shined brightest in the homecoming victory over Indiana Tech, where she hammered down 22 kills while hitting .370. She followed that with nine kills on .412 hitting in the sweep of Northwestern Ohio, proving her efficiency was just as dangerous as her power.

The senior's presence at the net has become a stabilizing force for the Saints. Chioini added five total blocks for the week, including four against Indiana Tech, and continually found ways to score in clutch moments. Her offensive production, coupled with her leadership as a veteran, helped the Saints maintain momentum through their toughest stretch of conference play.

Coach Ryan Campbell said, "Lauren has been an absolute force for us. When we need a point, she's someone we trust to put the ball away. Her combination of power, precision, and leadership makes her one of the most dangerous hitters in our league."

Team First Leads to Individual Accolades

While we are proud of all our student-athletes, it is a rare accomplishment when all three WHAC Player of the Week awards go to players from the same team. Volleyball is the ultimate team sport, and Coach Campbell emphasizes "team" above all else. The Saints' collective growth and chemistry have fueled their rise to 13-4 overall, 5-0 in the WHAC, and one of the hottest teams in the NAIA. For now, though, we pause to recognize and congratulate Hommes, West, and Chioini for their standout performances and their part in helping Aquinas continue its impressive start to the season.