LIVONIA, Mich.-- For the first time since 2013, Madonna University's Volleyball team has secured both the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) regular season and tournament title with a 3-0 sweep of Cornerstone University (Mich.) in the championship match at the Alliance Catholic Credit Union Arena. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

An energy spewed from the Madonna bench after Jodie Kelly solidified the first two points, spilling over into the arena. For the remainder of the first set, both teams went shot for shot with one another while Madonna always seemed to hold the lead even as the Golden Eagles went on a 4-0 run to put things at 11-10. DJ Sargent then sparked a 7-0 streak for Madonna that would effectively end any chance CU had at returning in this frame. It was a kill from Kelly and a ball handling error from Cornerstone that secured the 25-18 win. 

An attacking error inflated the Madonna energy to start set two before it found itself behind 2-1 early on. Two straight kills by Kelly and one from Jaeda Porter put the team back in it as the Crusaders would take three points for every Cornerstone one. A 5-0 run that saw Porter, Kacie Stoneburner, and Molly Miller get into the scoring column set up a CU service error that handed Madonna the 25-13 win.

With spirits high and a 2-0 set lead, Jordyn Dawson helped Madonna put its foot on the gas to start out 4-0 in the third set. Even as Cornerstone would gain points here-and-there, Madonna's Kelly and Miller would continue to pound the Golden Eagles all the way through the set as the team would dogpile with eyes on the tournament trophy as Cornerstone's attack sailed outside the back boundary. 

DOG PILE FOR THE @WHACAthletics TOURNAMENT CHAMPS. 🏆🏆

For the first time since 2013, Madonna has won the regular season and WHAC Tournament title in the same year. #CrusaderNation pic.twitter.com/NZZhHdQJSI

— Madonna Volleyball (@MUCrusadersVB) November 13, 2021

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Kelly was the kill leader in this quick game with 16
• Dawson tallied 36 assists while she recorded five blocks to Porter's six
• As a team, Madonna stuffed the Golden Eagles' offense with 11 blocks to the oppositions two 
• Olivia Sweeney came in clutch with 13 digs through long rallys 

UP NEXT

The team will gather on Monday, November 15 at 11:00 a.m. for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Volleyball Selection Show to find out their fate in the NAIA Opening Round. 

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