LIVONIA, Mich. - Madonna University (7-12) lost 3-0 to Cornerstone (MI) (18-5) on Friday, Oct. 9, in Livonia, Mich. The set scores were 25-13, 26-24 and 25-10. The Crusaders moved to 4-6 in conference play, while Cornerstone improved to 8-2.
Hope Schriber helped Madonna start quickly, delivering kills for leads of 2-0 and 3-2 in the opening set. Cornerstone took control with an eight-point run that stretched its advantage from 7-4 to 15-4. Facing a 24-9 deficit, the Crusaders saved four consecutive set points before an attack error ended the set.
The Crusaders produced their strongest offensive set in the second, collecting 12 kills and hitting .229. Kem Donnelly and Schriber combined for a block that put them ahead 13-12 and prompted a Cornerstone timeout. Three consecutive kills by Aubrey Johnson later gave Cornerstone a 20-16 lead, but Madelena Arriaga capped a three-point response with a service ace. Trailing 24-22, the Crusaders saved two more set points on a kill and a Cornerstone attack error. A kill by Aubrey Johnson and a Crusaders attack error settled the set.
Two Cornerstone attack errors during Addison Boven's service turn gave the Crusaders a 2-0 lead in the third. After surrendering six straight points, they answered with three consecutive points, and a Donnelly kill later cut the deficit to 7-6. Cornerstone then mounted an 11-1 run, capped by a Payton Hutchinson kill for an 18-7 advantage. Schriber stopped that scoring stretch with a kill, but Cornerstone scored the final four points to complete the sweep.
Campbell, Vivian Campbell and Sydney Stonerock led the Crusaders with five kills apiece. Donnelly contributed four kills, hit .250 and shared the team lead in digs with Forti, Lexa at 13 each. Schriber finished with three kills without an attack error on 10 attempts for a .300 hitting percentage. Gwen Clifford added four kills and a block assist.
Rylie Glass, Rylie distributed 11 assists and converted both attack attempts into kills. Addison Boven added six assists and eight digs, while Madelena Arriaga supplied two service aces, nine digs and three assists. The Crusaders finished with 48 digs, three aces and two team blocks.
Cornerstone held a 44-24 advantage in kills and hit .273 against the Crusaders' .040, also finishing with seven team blocks. Gabby VerBerkmoes led the visitors with 16 kills on .519 hitting and four block assists. Aubrey Johnson added 11 kills, while Payton Hutchinson recorded 39 assists and Gianna Warwick collected 19 digs.
Madonna Volleyball will be back in action on October 17th when they welcome the University of Michigan-Dearborn to ACCU Arena for a 2:00 PM WHAC matchup.
