GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Mol Arena was rocking during the home opening women's volleyball match as Cornerstone cruised past receiving votes Saint Xavier in straight sets. CU wins in straight sets for the first time in 2023, 25-20, 25-21, 29-27. The Golden Eagles are now .500 on the year at 2-2 and are just two wins away from 100 under the direction of Head Coach Megan Lenhart. Cornerstone will hit the road for a tri-match at Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday for their next competition. 

Game Recap: Cornerstone – 3 #RV Saint Xavier – 0 (25-20, 25-21, 29-27)
Set One:

• With a great crowd on hand, Cornerstone and Saint Xavier traded points early. Kylie Andras recorded a service ace for the Golden Eagles to put them up 5-3 early in set one. 
• After SXU tied it back up on multiple occasions, Jada Thomas recorded a nice overpass kill to put the Golden Eagles back on top by two, 10-8. 
• Cornerstone saw their first run 3-0 run of the match after three straight attack errors from Saint Xavier to lead 13-10. 
• Macy Ward checked in and recorded a key service ace that forced an SXU timeout leading 15-12. 
• Saint Xavier stayed in the set throughout, but Cornerstone continued to find a way to stay on top. Kylie Barron recorded a huge kill to go back up by three and force the Cougars second timeout. 
• Macy Ward continued to dominate the service line with another CU ace to force set point. Emmalee Murphy recorded the final kill to take set one, 25-20. 

Set Two:

• Set two got off to a unique start with the first six points being decided by service error or ace. 
• Trailing by two early, Cornerstone responded with a 3-0 run that saw kills from Gabrielle VerBerkmoes and Hannah Giere to go on top 6-5. 
• Cornerstone continued to add to their lead throughout the set. Gabrielle VerBerkmoes went up and knocked down a huge solo block that made it 17-11 and forced the second SXU timeout. 
• The Cougars were not done yet, using a 3-0 run to cut their deficit back to three. Gabrielle VerBerkmoes was involved in another big block with setter Aubrey Lenz to end the run and put CU on top 19-15. 
• A Kylie Barron kill put CU at set point at 24-18. After SXU survived three set points a kill from Gabrielle VerBerkmoes gave the Golden Eagles the 25-21 set two victory.  

Set Three:

• A block by Saint Xavier's Courtney Hunter got them out to a 5-3 lead in set three. 
• A 4-1 Golden Eagle run that ended with a kill from Eliza Thelen then put Cornerstone on top 7-6. 
• Kylie Barron and Aubrey Lenz combined for a big block that capped another 3-0 run and put CU up 10-7. 
• Saint Xavier would battle back to take a 12-11 lead, but it was short lived with Kylie Barron again taking over with a block and a kill.
• As it started to come down to crunch time, a long rally resulted in a kill from Jada Thomas off the assist from Allison Pignataro. Cornerstone forced Saint Xavier into a timeout leading 21-19. 
• Courtney Hunter recorded a big block, as SXU responded after the timeout with a 3-1 run to tie things at 22. Cornerstone would then use a timeout. 
• After not being able to close out two match points, Saint Xavier saw set point. Eliza Thelen crushed a kill to tie the set back up. The Golden Eagles then earned their third match point on a huge block from Kylie Barron and Aubrey Lenz. 
• On match point number four, Cornerstone secured the win off a Saint Xavier attack error, 29-27.

 
By the Numbers:
10 – The service line was a problem for both sides today as both teams ended with 10 service errors in the match. 
11 – Jada Thomas led CU with 11 kills on the match. 
6 – Cornerstone recorded nine blocks with six of including Kylie Barron. 
 
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles head back on the road for a tri-match at Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday. They take on the host (16) Wildcats at noon followed by a match with Trinity Christian College at 2 p.m. in Luckey Arena.   
 
Volleyball Contact: Jesse Campbell 
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