Grand Rapids, Mich. – Women's Volleyball began conference play with a win over the Crusaders of Madonna University in three sets. A standout performance from Aubrey Johnson, who tallied 13 kills on the night, helped push Cornerstone over the finish line after coming from behind in the third set. Ultimately, the Golden Eagles held on their home court strong, despite the resilience of Madonna's offense. Women's Volleyball hosts three home games over the upcoming weekend, opening up on Friday against #15 Mount Vernon Nazarene inside of the Mol Arena. The contest will take place at 7 p.m. following a neutral site matchup between Mount Vernon Nazarene and the University of Tennessee Southern at 5 p.m.
Game Recap – Cornerstone – 3 Madonna – 0 (25-10, 25-20 25-20)
First Set: Cornerstone – 25 Madonna – 10
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Cornerstone got off to an early lead in set one, as they held a five-point advantage 7-2 after a 4-0 run, finished by a service ace from Gianna Warwick.
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The Crusaders brought it back within three points of Cornerstone, but remained behind 9-6.
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Cornerstone kept on chugging along in the first set, as they doubled Madonna's point total, with a lead of 7-14 thanks to a kill from Aubrey Johnson.
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Three kills in a row by Aubrey Johnson set Cornerstone upon a victorious path in set one, as they led Madonna by 10-points 17-7.
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Two unfortunate attack errors by Madonna late in the set handed Cornerstone a well-earned win in set one of action 25-10.
Second Set: Cornerstone – 25 Madonna – 20
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Madonna came out into set two with a new tenacity. They led early by three points 4-1, with the lone point for Cornerstone coming off of the hand of Anastacia Trevino.
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The Crusaders kept it going in set two, as they moved forward to a six-point lead 8-2 as Cornerstone struggled to get anything going in set two of action.
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Gabby VerBerkmoes got a big kill that gave Cornerstone some hope in set two. The Golden Eagles trailed 9-5 to the Crusaders.
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An 8-0 run for Cornerstone saw them retake the lead in set two, coming back from being down 17-12, to leading the set 20-17 after a service ace from Ava Ford landed.
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A service ace from Payton Hutchinson ended set two and put Cornerstone up set score 2-0 as they took the set 25-20.
Third Set: Cornerstone – 25 Madonna – 20
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Cornerstone built a lead in set three off of kills from Aubrey Johnson and Josilyn Potter, as the Golden Eagles led 3-0 to begin the third set.
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Madonna was not down though, as they put together a three-point run tying the set 6-6.
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Another big kill by Aubrey Johnson kept Cornerstone in the lead 10-8.
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Payton Hutchinson netted another service ace, as the Golden Eagles remained on top of the Crusaders 13-10.
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The Crusaders fought back with a six-point run of their own that handed them the lead 16-13.
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Cornerstone put together a small run, after a service ace by Gianna Warwick and a Crusader attack error saw its way to the scoreboard. Cornerstone were back in the lead 19-18.
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Josilyn Potter and Gabby VerBerkmoes both grabbed kills and Josilyn Potter followed it up with her own service ace that inched Cornerstone closer to the finish line in set three 22-19.
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Aubrey Johnson got the final kill of the night, as a fatal attack error by Madonna helped Cornerstone to their first home-conference win of the season with a set three score of 25-20 and match score of 3-0.
By The Numbers:
13/9 – Aubrey Johnson led the team in kills, with 13 of them on the night, while she rounded out her performance with 9 kills to help out on defense.
32/3 – A team player is what they call Payton Hutchinson, as she dished out 32 assists on the night along with three service aces to add to the board in the 3-0 defeat of Madonna.
6 – Lauren Bower held the line at the net with 6 total blocks on the night, leading the Golden Eagles.
What's Next?
Women's Volleyball hosts three home games over the upcoming weekend, opening up on Friday against #15 Mount Vernon Nazarene inside of the Mol Arena. The contest will take place at 7 p.m. following a neutral site matchup between Mount Vernon Nazarene and the University of Tennessee Southern at 5 p.m.
Volleyball Contact: Mason Young
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