Grand Rapids, Mich. – Women's Volleyball headed into the 2026 WHAC Final after a hard-fought five-set win over Defiance College the night before. They faced off against one of the other owners of the 2026 Regular Season title in Indiana Tech who knocked out the Saints of Aquinas in four-sets the night before.
The first set saw Indiana Tech to a set lead 1-0, after they found their groove early on against the Golden Eagles. The Warriors won set one 25-20. The second set saw Cornerstone in the driver's seat, as they showed why they deserved to be in the WHAC Final as the #1 seed in the tournament. They fought through a tight set two and came out on top 25-23 over the Warriors. Set three went the visitor's way, as they bounced back after set two to take a set lead 2-1, coming within a set of the championship title. Cornerstone did not back down, as key blocking plays helped Cornerstone to dominate the fourth set over Indiana Tech 25-19, as it ended on a kill by Gwyn VerBerkmoes. The fifth set was a thriller, as Cornerstone led it at one point 7-2, you could feel the momentum shift in the Mol Arena. The Warriors tied it up 10-10, but the damage had already been done. Cornerstone took set five after a double block by Aubrey Johnson and Kaelyn Sohre saw the Women's Volleyball team rush the court and celebrate their 3-2 victory and the title of WHAC Tournament Champions.
The Golden Eagles await the NAIA Selection Show on the 16th of November at 4 p.m. CT to see who they will take on, and potentially host, in the opening round of the 2026 NAIA National Championship.
Game Recap – #22 Cornerstone – 3 Indiana Tech – 2 (20-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-19, 15-11)
First Set: Cornerstone – 20 Indiana Tech – 25
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Indiana Tech started off the first set of the day with a run 3-0, as they held the momentum early on.
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The kill by Gwyn VerBerkmoes put the Golden Eagles up by two points 9-7, in an attempt to keep Cornerstone on the frontfoot
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A 6-0 run by the Warriors midway through the set put them back in the lead 13-10.
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The kill by Kaelyn Sohre brought Cornerstone back within two points of the Warriors, as Indiana Tech remained in the lead 16-14.
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Gwyn VerBerkmoes knocked one more kill down in set one, as Cornerstone trailed 24-20 to the Warriors.
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One last kill by Indiana Tech wrapped up set one 25-20 over the Golden Eagles.
Second Set: Cornerstone – 25 Indiana Tech – 23
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Indiana Tech took an early lead in the second set 3-2, as Cornerstone looked to come from behind in the second set of action.
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A kill by Gabby VerBerkmoes kept the set close early on, but Indiana Tech held the lead 5-4.
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Kaelyn Sohre tied the set up with a kill, before an attack error by Indiana Tech handed the lead to Cornerstone 9-8.
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Another small run of three by Indiana Tech built their lead back to 12-9 ahead of the Golden Eagles.
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Four blocking plays in-a-row by Cornerstone sent the set back their way, as they found themselves on top 15-13 after a kill by Josilyn Potter rounded out the run.
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The Warriors tied the set back up 20-20, but the momentum was headed the homeside's way.
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Gabby VerBerkmoes tied the bow on the second set for Cornerstone, as they won it 25-23.
Third Set: Cornerstone – 22 Indiana Tech – 25
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Indiana Tech began hot in the third set, as they led 4-0 over Cornerstone.
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The Golden Eagles tied it back up and took the lead after a kill from Josilyn Potter 5-4.
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Five more for the Warriors they held the third set momentum in their grasp, they led Cornerstone 11-7.
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Out of a timeout, Gabby VerBerkmoes tallied two kills in-a-row that brought the Golden Eagles within two of their opposition. Indiana Tech remained in the lead 11-9.
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The block by Aubrey Johnson and Kaelyn Sohre put Cornerstone back on top of the Warriors 14-13.
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Indiana Tech did not give up, as they regained the lead late in the set 19-17, before the Golden Eagles managed to tie it up 19-19 after another kill from Josilyn Potter.
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A Cornerstone attack error saw the Warriors take set three 25-22 over Cornerstone, one set away from being tournament champions.
Fourth Set: Cornerstone – 25 Indiana Tech – 19
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The fourth set began with back-and-forth play between these evenly matched teams. The block by Gabby VerBerkmoes and Josilyn Potter saw the lead back to Cornerstone 3-2.
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A Cornerstone service error saw the Warriors retake the lead in the fourth set 6-5.
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Another big blocking play by Aubrey Johnson and Kaelyn Sohre tied the set back up 8-8 before the kill by Aubrey Johnson got the lead back on Cornerstone's side of the scoreboard 9-8.
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Josilyn Potter and Kaelyn Sohre put up another wall of a block, as the Golden Eagles remained on top by three points 12-9.
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A six-point lead for the home-side came after Aubrey Johnson put another attack on the floor. The Golden Eagles led 19-13 over Indiana Tech.
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Gwyn VerBerkmoes put set four away for Cornerstone, after another kill of hers sealed it 25-19.
Fifth Set: Cornerstone – 15 Indiana Tech – 11
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The fifth and final set began with a lead for Cornerstone 3-1 after Aubrey Johnson got the service ace.
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Gabby VerBerkmoes put down another kill, as Cornerstone led by three 5-2.
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Gwyn VerBerkmoes tallied another kill on the day, as Cornerstone held the lead in the fifth set 8-4.
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Anna Dady's service ace put Cornerstone on top 10-6, which forced the Warriors into their second timeout of the final set.
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The Warriors tied the set back up 10-10 on a kill from Hannah Teich.
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Kaelyn Sohre's attack was a success, as Cornerstone brought it to match point 14-11.
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The double block by Kaelyn Sohre and Aubrey Johnson won the fifth set for Cornerstone 15-11, as they claimed both the Regular Season title and the WHAC Tournament title for the 2026 season.
By The Numbers:
43 – Gianna Warwick recorded a career high 43 digs in the WHAC Final against the Warriors, as she covered the entire court for the Golden Eagles.
19/19 – 19 digs and 19 kills for number 19 on the court, Aubrey Johnson had a standout performance as she found her rhythm in set four and five for the Golden Eagles.
15/.302 – Gwyn VerBerkmoes bounced back after last night's contest against the Yellow Jackets and recorded 15 kills and hit .302, leading the team, against Indiana Tech.
57/21 – It was a busy final for setter Payton Hutchinson, as she tallied 57 assists and 21 digs in the win over Indiana Tech, dishing out the assists to her teammates all day long.
6 – Both Josilyn Potter and Kaelyn Sohre recorded 6 block assists, while Kaelyn Sohre recorded one solo block in key moments for Cornerstone's defense.
What's Next?
The Golden Eagles await the NAIA Selection Show on the 16th of November at 4 p.m. CT to see who they will take on and potentially host in the opening round of the 2026 NAIA National Championship.
Volleyball Contact: Mason Young
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