Volleyball unable to close out Saints in 4-set loss

Box Score

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Cornerstone led late in each of the first two sets but was unable to close out the host Saints as Aquinas won those two and the fourth to claim the WHAC match 3-1. The Golden Eagles fell 25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 25-20 to fall to 16-7 on the year and 7-5 in league play. CU will have a week off before their next match at home against No. 18 Madonna University.

Cornerstone had 24 more kills and nine more digs on Wednesday night but it was the host Saints who rallied in each of the first two sets to race out to a 2-0 lead in the four-set win. Aquinas, which has now won its last three matches overall and five of its last six, earns the season split with CU after the Golden Eagles won 3-1 back on September 3.

In a close first set that saw numerous lead changes, Cornerstone held a 20-18 lead, with the serve, only to see the Saints score seven of the next eight points to claim the opener 25-21. CU then led again late in the second, but after holding a 24-23 lead, saw Aquinas rally again by scoring the final three points for a 26-24 win.

The Golden Eagles then got things going in the third winning 25-19 behind a .256 hitting percentage and Megan Newhouse (JR/Grand Haven, Mich.)'s five kills to extend the match. Unfortunately, CU was unable to force a fifth as AQ rolled to a 25-20 victory.

Megan Newhouse led the attack with 20 kills while Murphy Heyer (JR/Rockford, Mich.) chipped in with 11. Chelsea Lake (JR/Lake Odessa, Mich.) led the way with 38 assists while Amber Carmean (JR/Fruitport, Mich.) (24) and Heyer (21) led the defense.

Cornerstone will now have a week off as they host No. 18 Madonna University next Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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