GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Golden Eagles women's volleyball program is set to host their second ever NAIA National Tournament Opening Round Game, as they return to the tournament for the first time since 2018 as both the WHAC Regular Season and Conference Tournament Champions. Cornerstone will play host to receiving votes Lindsey Wilson out of the Mid-South Conference. The Blue Raiders won the Mid-South Regular Season and Tournament Title as well, qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament for the 10th consecutive season. The opening round game will take place on Saturday, April 17 at 3 p.m. EST inside Mol Arena.
Opponent: (RV) Lindsey Wilson
Date: Saturday, April 17
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Grand Rapids, Mich. (Mol Arena)
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Cornerstone COVID-19 Protocol
Cornerstone will be allowing fans for the NAIA Opening Round inside Mol Arena. Each team will be provided a guest list of four guests per athlete/coach/manager. Cornerstone will also be allowing 25 students and Golden Eagle Members into the match. All guests will be required to pay as it is an NAIA sanctioned event. The price for general public is eight dollars and is five dollars for students. All fans will be required to wear a mask within the facility, fill out a screening form, and have their temperature checked at the door.
History with Lindsey Wilson
Cornerstone has a unique history with Lindsey Wilson playing just twice, but both being within the last 10 years. In 2017 the two teams met in the group round of the NAIA National Tournament Final Site. Cornerstone took on the undefeated and number one Blue Raiders and proved to be the only team that season to take them to five sets. LWC later went on to win the 2017 NAIA National Championship with an undefeated season. The other meeting took place during the regular season in 2014 on neutral court in Chicago, and the Golden Eagles fell in straight sets.
Scouting Lindsey WIlson
Lindsey Wilson has posted a dominant 21-3 record this season winning the Mid-South Regular Season and Tournament Championship. The Blue Raiders are very young, with seven freshmen and just one senior on the roster in 2020-21. LWC is very tall as well with six of their 14 rostered players above six foot. The size has led to one of the best offensive attacks in the country this season, ranking 11th in the NAIA with a team hitting percentage of .238. Freshman Radaisy Vasquez from the Dominican Republic leads the team with a .333 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Alexis Smith is the leader in kills for LWC this year with 275, nearly 100 more than the next highest on the team.
