High Seeds Advance to Volleyball Semifinal Round

All four higher seeds earned wins in the quarterfinal round of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Confernece (WHAC) tournament on Wednesday evening. Not all four matches were created equally, however, as Indiana Tech and Lawrence Tech locked into a five set thriller before the Warriors stomred back to punch its ticket to the next round. Top-seeded Aquinas, #2 seeded Cornerstone and #4 seeded Lawrence Tech all made quick work of their opponents, sweeping them in three sets. Aquinas will now host the remainder of the tournament with semifianls set for Friday and the championship taking place on Saturday. 

No. 1 Aquinas def. No. 8 Siena Heights, 3-0 | Box Score

In a decisive victory, the Aquinas Saints dominated the court against the Siena Heights Saints in the WHAC quarterfinals, held in Grand Rapids on November 12, 2025. Sweeping the match 3-0, Aquinas showed exceptional skill and teamwork throughout the event.

The Aquinas Saints showcased a robust offensive strategy led by Nevaeh Bakker and Lauren Chioini, each contributing 13 kills. Devyne Eisenhauer and Kate Noe also played significant roles, adding 11 and 7 kills, respectively. This powerful front-line attack consistently disrupted the defense of Siena Heights, securing a winning edge in all three games with scores of 25-20, 25-15, and 25-18.

Defensively, Aquinas was equally strong. Mya Krohn led with a remarkable 18 digs, aiding the team's defense alongside Courtney Johnson who secured 8 digs. This defensive strength proved crucial in maintaining the lead and ultimately sealing the match in Aquinas's favor.

The victory propels Aquinas to the WHAC semifinals, where they will face Rochester Christian.

No. 2 Cornerstone def. No. 7 Defiance, 3-0 | Box Score

In an impressive display, Cornerstone's women's volleyball team clinched a decisive victory in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) quarterfinals, sweeping Defiance College in three straight sets on November 12, 2025, at Mol Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.

The match began with Cornerstone setting a strong pace, taking the first set 25-14, continued their dominance with a 25-21 win in the second, and sealed their victory with a 25-16 win in the third set. Notable performances included Gabby VerBerkmoes, who contributed significantly with 9 kills and 4 blocks, amassing a total of 11.5 points. Aubrey Johnson also made critical plays, bringing in 13.5 points and 2 service aces, while Emmalee Murphy and Josilyn Potter added pivotal kills to the team's offensive efforts.

On the defensive end, Gianna Warwick was a standout with 13 digs, complemented by Payton Hutchinson, who not only contributed 6 digs but also provided 22 assists, spotlighting her dual role in the team's triumph. Despite a strong effort from Defiance's Kaylee Dickinson with 14 digs, the Yellow Jackets could not withstand the aggressive play of the Golden Eagles.

Looking ahead, Cornerstone is set to face Indiana Tech in the WHAC semifinals. 

No. 3 Indiana Tech def. No. 6 Lawrence Tech, 3-2 | Box Score

In a nail-biting WHAC quarterfinals showdown, the Indiana Tech Warriors clinched a victory over the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils on November 12, 2025, at the Schaefer Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. The intense match concluded with the Warriors winning 3-2, marking a significant step forward toward the WHAC semifinals.

The match unfolded through five intensely contested sets, with scores reading 25-22, 20-25, 25-23, 17-25, and a decisive 13-15 in favor of the Indiana Tech Warriors. This victory not only highlighted the determination of the Warriors but also showcased the impressive performances from key players in both offense and defense.

Maria Trevino Nunez led the Warriors' offensive efforts tremendously with a phenomenal 22 kills. She was well-supported by Sydney Eggleton and Kyndal James, who added 13 and 10 kills respectively. Nicole Hughes and Dru Temple further contributed to the robust attacking lineup. Defensively, Lauren Peters stood out with an impressive 27 digs, while Eggleton complemented her offensive contributions with 22 digs herself. Charley Klint provided additional support with 17 digs, forming a formidable defense that played a critical role in the Warriors' victory.

With this win, Indiana Tech is set to face Cornerstone in the WHAC semifinals. 

No. 4 Rochester Christian def. No. 5 Madonna, 3-0 | Box Score

In a decisive victory, the Rochester Christian Warriors showcased a stunning performance by sweeping the Madonna Crusaders 3-0 in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) quarterfinals on November 12 at Garth Pleasant Arena, Rochester Hills, MI. From the outset, despite early leads by Madonna in each set, Rochester Christian took control with a relentless display of skill and strategy.

Madonna's initial momentum in the sets was quickly overshadowed by numerous attack errors, which Rochester Christian capitalized on to turn the tide. Key players such as Ashley Horne excelled in serving, creating significant challenges for the Crusaders, while Kendal Zeiter's effective blocking fortified the defense, ultimately preventing Madonna from gaining any ground.

The Crusaders did see notable performances from individuals like Kira Buza, who secured a total of 15 kills, and Paige Caradonna, who also contributed with several key kills, demonstrating strong offensive efforts. However, Rochester Christian's tight coordination was on full display as Mackenzie Keefer supported the team with crucial assists and blocks, and Karli Rohraff's consistent digs kept the momentum firmly with the Warriors.