Yellow Jackets swept by No. 12 Aquinas

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance Yellow Jackets looked to get revenge against the Aquinas Saints for their previous 3-0 defeat earlier in the season but the result however remained the same as the Yellow Jackets once again fell in straight sets to the No. 12 team in the nation. 

The Yellow Jackets (9-19, 3-10 WHAC) had a tough task to try facing the top team in the WHAC. Despite Defiance's best efforts in keeping it competitive, the Saints (31-1, 13-0 WHAC) cruised to their 23rd straight win and 15th straight in three sets. Aquinas was very efficient in the attack game with 13 or more kills in each set and accumulated just 22 errors in all phases.

THE TURNING POINT 

The Yellow Jackets managed to keep it close for the first half of the first set, having the score level at 12-12. The Saints took over down the stretch going on 13-3 run with the help of an eight-point rally. This ended up being the story of the match as Defiance would do what they would to keep it close but the Saints proved why they only have one loss on the year. In the third, the Yellow Jackets had a lead late of 17-16 while trying to extend the match, but once again the Saints managed to bounce back, winning the final 9 points of the match to seal the deal. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• As a team, Defiance committed nine attack errors in the first set and ended with a negative hitting percentage. They rebounded with just six errors in the attack game the rest of the contest.
• Jamia Murray was efficient as she was successful in getting kills on 3 of her 4 attacks after playing just one set. 
• Gabby Rodriguez and Shelby Clements led the way for Defiance with eight kills each. Rodriguez had just one error and hit .212 for the match.
• Amina Chamoun had 11 of Defiance's 21 total assists for the match. 
• Kaylee Dickinson dug out 12 Aquinas attacks to lead the Yellow Jackets.

UP NEXT 

The Yellow Jackets have a quick turnaround playing Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the Karl H. Weaner Center against the Cornerstone Golden Eagles.

-JACKETS-