Grand Rapids, Mich. – Women's Volleyball began post-season play against the Yellow Jackets of Defiance College in the WHAC Tournament Quarterfinal. The Golden Eagles came into this tournament as the second seed, only behind the undefeated Saints of Aquinas College. Defiance College grabbed the seventh seed in only their second year as a member of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. 

The first set was defined by service aces from both sides. The Yellow Jackets tied up set one 7-7 after three service aces in-a-row and Alli Pickard helped win set one 25-14 for Cornerstone with two-in-a-row herself. The Yellow Jackets came out swinging in the second set, holding the lead for the majority of the set. Cornerstone were able to tie it up multiple times before regaining the lead and taking set two confidently 25-21. The third set belonged to the Golden Eagles early as they managed to jump into a dominant 12-3 lead. Cornerstone was able to see the set out in smooth fashion to advance their way into the WHAC Semifinal. 

Women's Volleyball continues on in the WHAC Tournament against the winner of Indiana Tech vs Lawrence Tech at Aquinas College inside of the Sturrus Athletic Center.

Game Recap – Cornerstone – 3  Defiance – 0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-16)

First Set: Cornerstone – 25 Defiance – 14

• The match began with a kill by Aubrey Johnson to get Cornerstone going 1-0.

• Two blocks in a row by Gabby VerBerkmoes helped to keep the Golden Eagles ahead 5-2 in set one.

• The blocks kept coming for Cornerstone as Lauren Bower went up and came down with another point for Cornerstone 7-3.

• Three service aces in-a-row by Defiance tied the first set up 7-7.

• Payton Hutchinson returned to the floor for Cornerstone and added her own service ace to the scoreboard as Cornerstone stayed up 9-8.

• Two service aces in-a-row by Gianna Warwick saw Cornerstone extend their lead to 14-9.

• The kill by Gwyn VerBerkmoes forced the Yellow Jackets into their first timeout of the night as Cornerstone led 17-11.

• Another kill by Gwyn VerBerkmoes broke Cornerstone into the 20s for the first time on the night 20-14.

• The Golden Eagles took set one 25-14 with two service aces by Alli Pickard to finish it out.

Second Set: Cornerstone – 25 Defiance – 21

• Defiance College began the second set hot, as a couple of Cornerstone errors helped them to a 4-0 lead early on.

• The service ace by Josilyn Potter and a kill by Gabby VerBerkmoes saw the Golden Eagles to a five-point run. They grabbed the lead 5-4.

• Cornerstone was trailing in the second set, as a kill by Aubrey Johnson helped to lessen the deficit. Cornerstone trailed 13-11.

• Another block by Gabby VerBerkmoes, assisted by Aubrey Johnson tied the set back up for Cornerstone 13-13.

• An Olivia Endris service ace helped Cornerstone regain the lead 17-16 late in set two.

• Another service ace by the setter Payton Hutchinson forced Defiance into their first timeout of set two as Cornerstone led 20-17.

• Lauren Bower's kill to extend Cornerstone's lead 23-19 forced the Yellow Jackets into their final timeout of set two.

• The Aubrey Johnson kill finished set two for Cornerstone 25-21.

Third Set: Cornerstone – 25 Defiance – 16

• Josilyn Potter flew on the right side and put away a kill to begin set one 1-0 for Cornerstone.

• A kill and another block by Gabby VerBerkmoes added to the scoreline for Cornerstone as they led 3-1 in set three.

• The six-point point by Cornerstone at the beginning of the set forced the Yellow Jackets into an early timeout as the Golden Eagles were up 7-1.

• Payton Hutchinson continued to dominate the match this time from behind the service line with multiple aces to give Cornerstone a 12-3 lead. 

• The Golden Eagles closed out the WHAC Quarterfinal with three kills from Aubrey Johnson to advance to the Semifinal match this Friday. 

By The Numbers:

12 - Cornerstone collected 12 service aces with Payton Hutchinson leading the way with four of her own. 

4 - Gabby VerBerkmoes led the way at the net with four total blocks in the win.

.407 - Cornerstone hit at an impressive .407 rate with Aubrey Johnson leading the way in her 11 kill match. 

What's Next?

Women's Volleyball continues on in the WHAC Tournament against the winner of Indiana Tech vs Lawrence Tech at Aquinas College inside of the Sturrus Athletic Center on Friday, November 14th.

Volleyball Contact: Mason Young