WILLIAMSVILLE, Ill. - For just the second time in program history, and the first time in 27 years, Quincy University women's volleyball is headed to the GLVC Tournament Championship, outlasting Rockhurst in a dramatic five-set semifinal (15–25, 25–20, 22–25, 25–22, 15–10). The Hawks showed immense grit after dropping the opening frame, winning the final two sets to complete one of their most memorable postseason victories in decades.

Quincy's start was far from ideal. Set one was competitive early, with both sides trading blows until Rockhurst held a narrow 14–13 edge. But RU seized every ounce of momentum, ripping off eight straight points and suffocating the Hawks at the net. Quincy managed just nine kills on 38 swings while hitting .079, while Rockhurst blistered the ball at a .359 mark. The 25–15 loss forced Quincy to regroup quickly and reset for the second frame.

Set two showcased that reset immediately. The Hawks came out energized, fast, and aggressive, racing ahead 9–4 behind a flurry of early offense—four kills from Janelle Pye-Blacknard and two more from Susanna Beretti. Quincy maintained at least a two-point cushion for most of the set, and even when Rockhurst closed within three at 20–17, the Hawks remained steady. The teams traded points down the stretch until Selin Turgut powered down the final swing to lock up a 25–20 win. Quincy's offense awakened in a major way with 18 kills and a strong .289 hitting percentage, returning the match to level footing.

The third set became a battle of counterpunches. Rockhurst opened with a small lead, but Quincy swung back with four straight points to grab an 8–6 edge. With QU leading 12–11, Rockhurst responded with a burst of offense and defensive pressure, scoring four straight behind three kills and a Hawk error. Quincy answered once again with its own run, this time five of six points highlighted by three consecutive kills out of the middle from Erin Matzke. 

But Rockhurst delivered the final surge of the set, capitalizing on four Quincy errors as part of a six-point run. The Hawks clawed back within striking distance on kills from Beretti, but Rockhurst ultimately closed the door 25–22 to take a 2–1 match lead. Quincy finished the frame hitting .125 with 13 kills, while Rockhurst posted 15 kills at .196.

Set four carried the weight of the season for both sides, and it felt like it from the opening serve. Every rally was loud, extended, and emotional, with neither team separating early. Quincy finally created space with a four-point run to move ahead 15–11, but Rockhurst countered with seven of the next eight points, flipping the score and forcing Mark Jones to burn a timeout as RU took an 18–16 lead.

The stoppage changed everything. Quincy returned to the floor composed and explosive, delivering four straight of its own to reclaim momentum. Down the stretch, the Hawks leaned on their middles and found Zeynep Cetin for two massive kills in the final rotations, closing out the frame 25–22 and forcing the match to a decisive fifth set.

The fifth set was everything a semifinal should be: intense, physical, and unforgettable. Rockhurst grabbed the first two points, but the Hawks answered immediately. With the score tied 5–5, Quincy delivered a critical sequence, a three-point swing to take an 8–5 lead at the changeover, igniting the Quincy crowd that had traveled for the evening.

Out of the switch, the Hawks extended their lead to 9–5, and when Rockhurst tried to climb back within striking distance, Quincy again turned to its middle attack. Matzke delivered two powerful kills to push the advantage to 11–6. Rockhurst refused to fold, trimming the margin to 13–10, but Beretti rose to the moment with a late kill, and a Rockhurst attack error completed the victory as Quincy punched its ticket to the GLVC Championship for the first time in 27 years.

From a team statistical standpoint, Quincy hit .192 across the five sets (65 kills, 28 errors on 193 swings) compared to Rockhurst's .180 (60 kills, 24 errors on 200 attempts). After a slow offensive start, the Hawks found consistency in sets two through five, hitting .289, .125, .213, and .261. Quincy's blocking presence proved pivotal, finishing tied for their season-high with 14 blocks. Defensively, the Hawks produced a massive 93 digs, out-digging Rockhurst's 88 and keeping rallies alive during pivotal stretches.

Individually, the Hawks were exceptional across the lineup, truly winning this match by committee. Susanna Beretti was outstanding, finishing with a match-high 23 kills on 61 attempts while adding a career-high 30 digs in one of her best all-around performances of the season. Zeynep Cetin was remarkably efficient in the middle, hammering 11 kills on 20 swings while hitting .500 and contributing five blocks.  Erin Matzke was equally crucial, especially late, recording 12 kills and six total blocks with a .206 hitting percentage. Libero Lilly Marth was tremendous, totaling 15 digs and providing critical first contacts all night. Setter Elena Kasavica was the engine of the offense, distributing 62 assists, a new career-high for the sophomore, and adding 13 digs of her own to secure another double-double.

The Hawks now carry tremendous momentum into the GLVC Championship match, where they will face the 25th-ranked and top-seeded Missouri-St. Louis Tritons, winners of 18 straight. The championship showdown is scheduled for 12:00 PM at the Williamsville High School Field House.