GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Women's Volleyball welcomed Spring Arbor to Grand Rapids with a loud and enthusiastic crowd that saw the Golden Eagles win 3-1 (25-21, 14-25, 25-23, 25-22). It was the best possible outcome to open play at home in front of a packed crowd as the win moves Cornerstone to 4-0 on the young season. Women's Volleyball will be back in action this Friday, August 30 for a one-day tournament in Indiana as they face off against Taylor and #20 Mount Vernon Nazarene.

Game One Recap – Cornerstone – 3 Spring Arbor – 1 (25-21, 14-25, 25-23, 25-22)
 
First Set: Cornerstone – 25 Spring Arbor - 21

• Spring Arbor jumped out to an early 4-2 lead to open the first set thanks to a few errors from the Golden Eagles.
• A 4-1 run by the Cougars sees them extend their lead 8-4 after back-to-back kills from Izzy Kirkendall.
• The Golden Eagles responded with a 4-1 run of their own thanks to kills from Aubrey Johnson, Gabby VerBerkmoes, and Emmalee Murphy to make it 9-8.
• Spring Arbor right away went on a long 5-0 streak that forced the Golden Eagles into a timeout as it is now 14-8.
• The calls and kills continued to go Spring Arbor's way as another kill from Keely Hinzman makes it 17-10.
• Thanks to three straight errors from the Cougars, the Golden Eagles found late life as it led to a 6-1 run to make it 18-16 Spring Arbor. Gabby VerBerkmoes and Kylie Barron added a kill in the run as fans energy gave Cornerstone momentum. 
• The momentum continued to swing Cornerstone's way as they rattled off seven straight points to take a 23-19 advantage over Spring Arbor.
• Aubrey Lenz and Gabby VerBerkmoes put the final touches on the first set with a kill as the Golden Eagles came from behind to win set one 25-21.

 
Second Set: Spring Arbor – 25 Cornerstone – 14

• It was all Spring Arbor to start the second set as they jumped out to a 7-1 lead that forced Cornerstone into a timeout.
• A kill from Emmalee Murphy and a service ace from Olivia Endris made it 10-5.
• Spring Arbor continued to add points in the second set as an error from the Golden Eagles made it 17-9.
• It was not the set the Golden Eagles looked for as they drop set two 25-14.

 
Third Set: Cornerstone – 25 Spring Arbor – 23

• Aubrey Lenz and Kylie Barron got the second set started with a big block to make it 2-0 Cornerstone.
• It continued to be all Cornerstone to start the second set as six straight points forced Spring Arbor into a timeout as it is now 8-1 after a solo block from Kylie Barron.
• Aubrey Johnson made it an 11-2 Golden Eagle lead.
• Spring Arbor would respond with a 5-0 run to make it 11-7 but the Golden Eagles would answer with a 4-0 run highlighted by blocks from Gabby VerBerkmoes and Jada Thomas to make it 15-7.
• Four straight kills from Spring Arbor and a few errors from the Golden Eagles saw their lead dwindle as it is now 16-13 in the third set.
• Another run by the Cougars makes it 18-17 before an error from Spring Arbor gave Cornerstone a two-point advantage.
• The points continued to go back and forth before a solo block from Gabby VerBerkmoes makes it 23-21 late in the third set.
• Gabby VerBerkmoes and Emmalee Murphy put the final touches on the third set with kills as the Golden Eagles take a 2-1 match advantage after a 25-23 set three victory.

 
Fourth Set: Cornerstone – 25 Spring Arbor - 22

• Back-to-back attack errors from Spring Arbor gave Cornerstone a 4-2 advantage to start the fourth set.
• Aubrey Lenz added a service ace and Emmalee Murphy recorded a kill to spark a Cornerstone 4-0 run to take an 8-4 lead.
• Jada Thomas sent one to the floor with a kill to make it 12-8 Cornerstone.
• Multiple attack errors from Cornerstone that resulted in blocks for Spring Arbor sparked a 6-0 Cougar run to take a 14-12 advantage over the Golden Eagles.
• A service ace by the Cougars forced Cornerstone into a timeout as they lead 18-14.
• Cornerstone would respond right away out of the timeout as Gabby VerBerkmoes had a loud kill that was followed by back-to-back service aces from Aubrey Lenz brought the Golden Eagles within one. Gabby VerBerkmoes would record another solo block to tie the match at 18.
• After a kill from Spring Arbor makes it 19-18, the Golden Eagles used a 4-0 run thanks to more blocks from Gabby VerBerkmoes made it a 22-19 Cornerstone lead late in the fourth.
• Spring Arbor and Cornerstone traded points down the stretch but it was the Golden Eagles who came out on top after Kylie Barron finished the set with a kill. Cornerstone wins the match 3-1 and set 25-22.

 
By the Numbers:
39 – Aubrey Lenz led the way with 39 assists with three service aces
17 – Emmalee Murphy had a match high 17 kills
8 – Gabby VerBerkmoes recorded a season high eight total blocks
Stonezone – Cornerstone Stonezone was the difference in the 3-1 victory – shoutout the fans!
 
What's Next?
Cornerstone hits the road once more for a one-day tournament down at Taylor as the Golden Eagles face off against Taylor and #20 Mount Vernon Nazarene.
 
 
Volleyball Contact: Jonny Strube
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