GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team finished their trip to Michigan with a 3-1 record at the Aquinas/Cornerstone Invitational, splitting their two matches on Saturday in Grand Rapids. The Gyrenes defeated Mount Vernon Nazarene University in straight sets before dropping a four-set decision to the host school, Cornerstone University.
In the opening match against Mount Vernon Nazarene, the Gyrenes needed a late surge to put away the Cougars. MVNU raced out to a 6-2 lead in what would prove to be a back-and-forth set. The action would eventually be even at 22, when Ave Maria rolled off three straight points on a service error, an attack error, and a Rita Campos kill to take the opening set.
The second set was much of the same, with the set against tied at 22 in the closing moments. Just as they did in the first, Ave Maria won the final three points of the set thanks to kills from Madelyn Haut and Cabriella Bouterse, as well as a MVNU attack error. With the 2-0 lead in hand, AMU cruised in the third set, taking a 25-16 decision to win their third consecutive match.
In her home state, Haut was on fire in the opening match of the day. The Michigan native logged 15 kills on 24 swings, recording a .500 attack percentage. Zelie Kessler and Abigail Costlow combined for 15 more kills without an error, while Lily Witkoski racked up 37 assists in the three-set victory. Victoria Schein was in double figures in digs yet again, leading the AMU defensive effort with 12.
Ave Maria's first set against Cornerstone, who was receiving votes in the preseason NAIA Coaches' Poll, saw the Gyrenes claim the early lead. Once again, the Gyrenes surged at the end of a set, scoring three consecutive points to win the frame after trailing 23-22. A kill by freshman Millie Stockard tied the set at 23, with an attack error and a Haut kill putting the first set in AMU's column.
Cornerstone flipped the script from the second set on to take the match. The hosts rallied from an 18-16 deficit in the second set, finishing the frame on a 9-1 run to even the match. In the third set, Cornerstone again went on a big run, scoring 13 of the last 18 points in the set to turn a 17-12 Ave Maria lead into a 25-22 CU win. Another 25-19 triumph in the fourth set gave the win to Cornerstone.
Haut was again Ave Maria's leading attacker in the final game, posting 14 kills. Rita Campos was also in double figures with eleven. Witkoski averaged ten assists per set with 40 assists over four sets, while Victoria Schein had a season-high 25 digs.
After a successful weekend in Michigan, the Gyrenes' next road trip will be to the Peach State next weekend. Ave Maria will play four matches in the Running Eagle Classic, hosted by Life University in Marietta, Georgia. The Gyrenes will take on Life, Columbia International University, Talladega College, and Brenau University, playing two matches each on Friday and Saturday.
