Livonia, Mich. – Women's Volleyball finished off the regular season with a win-from-behind five-set thriller over the Crusaders of Madonna University. The first set was defined by a 7-0 run at the start by Cornerstone, which Madonna was never able to recover from as Cornerstone would take set one 25-18. The Crusaders were able to bounce back in the next two sets of play, as they took set two 25-22 and set three 25-17. The Golden Eagles showed true heart in the fourth set as Alli Pickard's service ace and a kill by Aubrey Johnson handed set four to Cornerstone 25-18. An important three-point run in the final set by Cornerstone helped them on to a 15-12 victory in the fifth set to take the game 3-2 inside of the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena. Women's Volleyball looks ahead at the WHAC Tournament matchup, as they secured the second seed in the tourney to host the seventh seed in the WHAC on Wednesday, November 12 inside of the Mol Arena. The time is TBD.

Game Recap – Cornerstone – 3  Madonna – 2 (25-18, 22-25, 25-27, 25-18, 15-12)

First Set: Cornerstone – 25 Madonna – 18

• Cornerstone started off hot with a seven-point run at the beginning of the first set, helped on by two Gianna Warwick service aces to make the score 7-0.

• Gwyn VerBerkmoes set the ball into the floor for a kill late in the first set to help Cornerstone to a four-point run. The Golden Eagles led Madonna 19-13.

• The Golden Eagles finished out set one with another four-point run, as Josilyn Potter flew in with a kill to finish off the set 25-18 for Cornerstone.

Second Set: Cornerstone – 22 Madonna – 25

• A disappointing attack error for the Crusaders gave Cornerstone the lead in set two 5-1.

• Six points by the Crusaders helped them to a three-point lead in the second set 11-8.

• A kill by Gabby VerBerkmoes brought Cornerstone within one of Madonna who still led 15-14.

• The second set would go in favor of Madonna as they finish it off with two more points and take the set 25-22.

Third Set: Cornerstone – 17 Madonna – 25

• The Crusaders had business to take care of in the third set of play, as they began with a couple two-point moments, followed by a three-point run to hold the lead 7-2 over Cornerstone.

• A big five-point run for Madonna built their lead to ten points 14-4 in set three.

• Three points in -a-row for the Golden Eagles, including another service ace for Gianna Warwick helped to get Cornerstone back into the set, still behind 22-15.

• The Crusaders would take set three 25-17 and look confident going into the fourth set.

Fourth Set: Cornerstone – 25 Madonna – 18

• Two errors by Madonna began the fourth set of play and handed Cornerstone a lifeline as they now led 2-0.

• Two kills by Gwyn VerBerkmoes built a four-point run for the Golden Eagles that would bring their lead to 9-5.

• Aubrey Johnson got the kill to keep Cornerstone on top 14-11.

• Another four-point run by Cornerstone, rounded out by a Gwyn VerBerkmoes kill, brought the score to 21-16 in Cornerstone's favor.

• The fourth set would come to its close with a three-point Cornerstone run, as Aubrey Johnson finished off the set with a kill. The fourth set would finish 25-18 for Cornerstone.

Fifth Set: Cornerstone – 15 Madonna – 12

• Alli Pickard began the final set with a service ace for Cornerstone, they went up 1-0.

• Gabby VerBerkmoes got another kill inside of a three-point run by the Golden Eagles that put them up 4-1.

• Aubrey Johnson and Josilyn Potter put two points together to break Cornerstone past the ten point mark in the final set. The Golden Eagles held the lead 10-8.

• Madonna came within two points of Cornerstone 14-12, but the kill by Gabby VerBerkmoes gave Cornerstone the victory in the final set 15-12 and Cornerstone took the game 3-2.

By The Numbers:

15/3 – Gabby VerBerkmoes totaled 15 kills and three total blocks in the five set match against Madonna.

15/14 – Aubrey Johnson had 15 kills against the Crusaders along with 14 digs to help Cornerstone's resilient defense

32 – Payton Hutchinson had 32 assists to build up her team offensively against Madonna University.

23 – Breaking twenty digs once again, Gianna Warwick totaled 23 digs on the day in the five set match.

What's Next?

Women's Volleyball looks ahead at the WHAC Tournament matchup, as they have secured the second seed in the tourney to host the seventh seed in the WHAC on Wednesday, November 12 inside of the Mol Arena. The time is TBD.

Volleyball Contact: Mason Young