Rochester Hills, Mich. -- The regular season is winding down, but Coach Ryan Campbell's team still has plenty of unfinished business. With the WHAC tournament approaching and the pursuit of an NAIA red banner beyond that, the Saints have more on their minds than protecting a winning streak. That remarkable three-year run belongs in the record book, and Wednesday's trip to Rochester Christian was about getting back to work.
No. 7 Aquinas 3, Rochester Christian 0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-18)
For the first time since their 56-match WHAC winning streak ended in last week's five-set loss to Indiana Tech, the Saints returned to conference action with a chance to start again. AQ handled that assignment in three sets, taking care of the Warriors at Garth Pleasant Arena. So, technically speaking, the Saints are now riding a one-match WHAC winning streak, although it might be a little early to order commemorative shirts. More immediately, the victory kept the Maroon and White alone atop the conference standings.
Helping keep that business moving was true freshman Kyla Charles, who has been handed anything but a small assignment. The Hastings, Mich., native continued filling in for Natalie West, whose season has put her firmly in the All-American conversation, and distributed 33 assists while adding six digs, two block assists and an ace. Charles assisted on all 15 Aquinas kills in the opening set, finding five different Saints for finishes. For a freshman directing a nationally ranked team with postseason expectations, that was a pretty good way to settle into the evening.
The Saints created some early separation with Nevaeh Bakker and Charles combining on two blocks before a Cece Pelak kill helped AQ move ahead 10-6. Rochester Christian worked back within 14-13, but Kaylyn Tuck and Bakker answered with consecutive kills to give Aquinas some breathing room. Alexa Eden later added an ace during the push toward the finish, and Jayla Martin supplied two late kills. Tuck and Martin teamed up for the closing block as AQ took the opener, 25-17, while holding the Warriors to a .023 hitting percentage.
The second set remained even through 8-8 before a Pelak kill, a Martin finish and a Warrior attack error gave the Saints three straight points. AQ stretched that advantage to 19-12 with Sarah Curtis serving as Pelak and Bakker combined for a block. After Rochester Christian trimmed the margin to 20-16, the Saints answered with three consecutive points, including another Pelak kill and a Charles ace. Pelak delivered the final kill for the 25-18 decision, capping a set in which Aquinas hit a match-best .344 with 14 kills and just three attack errors.
Kate Schneider helped get the third set moving with an early kill, while Kami Morse's service turn included finishes from Pelak and Tuck as AQ built a 6-2 lead. The Warriors stayed within reach, but Brooke Price's second ace of the match and another productive stretch with Curtis serving helped the Saints move ahead 18-13. With AQ leading 19-15, Eden delivered three consecutive aces, then remained at the line for a Martin kill and a Warrior attack error that brought up match point. Rochester Christian delayed the finish with three points before an attack error completed the Saints' second straight 25-18 set victory and the sweep.
Pelak finished with 15 kills and 15 digs, while Bakker made the most of her opportunities with 11 kills against just one error in 15 swings for a .667 hitting percentage. Martin added six kills and three block assists, Schneider contributed four kills, and Tuck finished with three kills, a solo block and a block assist. Curtis collected 13 digs and Morse added 10 as Aquinas held Rochester Christian to .125 hitting and finished with a 53-45 advantage in digs. Eden supplied four of AQ's eight aces without a service error, giving the Saints a valuable source of pressure as they closed out the road victory.
Aquinas improved to 33-2 overall and 13-1 in the WHAC, while Rochester Christian slipped to 7-21 overall and 2-11 in conference play. The Saints remain one match ahead of both Cornerstone and Indiana Tech, which share second place at 12-2, keeping AQ in control of its pursuit of the WHAC regular-season championship. Rochester Christian sits eighth in the nine-team standings.
Saints Snapshots
- A Freshman, a Full Assignment. Charles is learning on the job with a team chasing championships, and Wednesday offered another encouraging step. Her 33 assists accounted for all but four of AQ's helpers, and her opening-set distribution brought five hitters into the offense.
- Make Every Swing Count. Bakker needed just 15 attempts to produce 11 kills, giving the Saints a dependable answer at the net. Her four block assists also led AQ, making her influence felt on both sides of the ball.
- More Than the Milestone. Fresh off reaching 1,000 career kills last weekend, Pelak kept contributing well beyond the attack column. Her 15-kill, 15-dig performance helped AQ finish points up front and keep them alive in the back row.
- Eden Changes the Third. With Rochester Christian still hanging around at 19-15, Eden's three consecutive aces helped turn a manageable lead into match point. Her error-free serving produced four aces for the evening, half of the Saints' total.
- The Race Still Runs Through AQ. The long winning streak has ended, but the Saints' championship opportunity remains very much intact. Wednesday's response preserved their one-match WHAC lead and put the attention back where Campbell wants it: the work ahead.
Coach's Comments
Focus and preparation were priorities for head coach Ryan Campbell this week, and Wednesday's performance reflected the kind of response he wanted. The Saints have already accomplished plenty, but Campbell knows the remaining goals will demand more than a look back at what they have done.
"We talked this week about being intentional with our preparation and carrying that focus into the match, and I thought we took a good step tonight," Campbell said. "Kyla has been asked to take on a lot as a freshman, and she deserves credit for the work she's putting in and the way she's connecting with our hitters. This team has accomplished some special things, but none of that does the work for us now. If we want to finish what we started, there is still a lot of work, a lot of sweat and probably a few tears ahead of us. We have to be willing to give that every day."
Up Next
The Saints return home Friday for Senior Night against Lawrence Tech, adding another meaningful occasion to an already packed day for Aquinas athletics. AQ will recognize its seniors before the 7 p.m. match as the Maroon and White continue their push toward the postseason.
The live stream will feature video only, with Joey Sutherlin's commentary added to the replay on the AQSaints YouTube channel later Friday evening.
Be sure to visit AQSaints.com for live statistics, streaming links and complete postgame coverage of Aquinas women's volleyball and all other Saints sports.
It's a great day to be a Saint.
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