Grand Rapids, Mich. – Women's Volleyball opened up a busy weekend with a home match against the #15 ranked Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars. The Golden Eagles started off hot with a strong performance in set one, leading by 10 points 19-9, they grabbed set one over the Cougars 25-16. The second set was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, but Cornerstone came out on top with a set two victory 27-25. The final set saw Cornerstone complete the home sweep over a top ranked team, handling the Cougars in set three 25-18. Women's Volleyball will continue the weekend with two Saturday matchups inside of the Mol Arena against Cumberland University and Olivet Nazarene University at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.
Game Recap – #RV Cornerstone – 3 #15 Mount Vernon – 0 (25-16, 27-25 25-18)
First Set: Cornerstone – 25 Mount Vernon – 16
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Cornerstone started off the first set strong, with an early three-point lead thanks to a kill by Kaelyn Sohre, Cornerstone led 6-3.
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A kill from Josilyn Potter put Cornerstone up 10-6 over the Cougars before grabbing one more point to stay up 11-6, which forced Mount Vernon into their first timeout of the night.
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Cornerstone kept it rolling in set one, as Aubrey Johnson put a kill away to put Cornerstone up by eight, 16-8.
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Another kill off the hand of Aubrey Johnson sent Cornerstone in search of their final five points of the set, as they led 20-10.
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The Cougars were not out of it yet, however, as they pulled together a three-point run to stay in the set behind 21-14.
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The kill by Gabby VerBerkmoes and a service ace from Josilyn Potter completed set one for Cornerstone 26-16 over Mount Vernon.
Second Set: Cornerstone – 25 Mount Vernon – 20
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The kill by Gabby VerBerkmoes out of the middle began set two for Cornerstone, as they went up 1-0.
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Mount Vernon held the lead in the beginning of the second set 4-3 over the Golden Eagles.
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A run of four points by Cornerstone helped them regain the lead in set two of action 7-4 over the Cougars.
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Kaelyn Sohre put another kill away for Cornerstone, as they remained on top by two points 10-8.
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The second set remained tight, as Aubrey Johnson put another away to inched Cornerstone ahead 16-15 late in the set.
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Gwyn VerBerkmoes helped Cornerstone to a three-point lead in set two 21-18 for Cornerstone.
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The Cougars built a three-point run that tied the set back up 21-21.
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The back-and-forth battle was nonstop in set two, as Cornerstone and Mount Veron traded points.
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A Mount Vernon service ace put them up 25-24 in set two, with the advantage going into the next point.
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Cornerstone rallied thanks to a Cougar attack error and finished off the set with a service ace by Gianna Warwick. The Golden Eagles took set two 27-25.
Third Set: Cornerstone – 25 Mount Vernon – 20
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The third set was just as close as the second, but Mount Vernon held the lead early 4-2 over Cornerstone.
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Three points in-a-row by Cornerstone pushed them ahead 5-4 as much of the third set remained.
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Another kill from Gwyn VerBerkmoes put Cornerstone up 10-6.
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Aubrey Johnson kept it coming from the outside with another kill added to her tally, as Cornerstone held an eight-point lead 19-11.
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Kaelyn Sohre knocked one more down onto the floor as Cornerstone stayed strong in the lead 22-15.
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The Cougars cut the deficit to six points, but with Cornerstone leading 24–18 in the third set, Gwyn VerBerkmoes ended the set with a final kill to give the Golden Eagles a 25–18 victory.
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Cornerstone finished the night with a strong win over the number 15 team in the country.
By The Numbers:
16/9 – Aubrey Johnson once again led the way for Cornerstone on the attack with 16 total kills and 9 digs in the three-set contest.
42/2 – Payton Hutchinson put on a strong performance, putting away 42 assists and getting up for two total blocks.
9/4 – It was a good night to be Gabby VerBerkmoes, who knocked down 9 kills on the night and held strong at the tape with 4 total blocks to round out her performance.
13/2 – The libero, Gianna Warwick, tallied 13 digs on the night with two service aces.
What's Next?
Women's Volleyball will continue the weekend with two Saturday matchups inside of the Mol Arena against Cumberland University and Olivet Nazarene University at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.
Volleyball Contact: Mason Young
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