Graceland Volleyball Falls to William Penn in Four Sets
Lamoni, Iowa – Graceland University volleyball dropped a hard-fought match against William Penn University on Tuesday, falling 3-1 (29-27, 17-25, 20-25, 17-25) in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) action at the Morden Center. Despite showing resilience in a thrilling first set victory, Graceland could not sustain the momentum as William Penn took control in the remaining sets.
Graceland's record now stands at 1-10 overall and 0-2 in conference play, while William Penn improved to 11-7 overall and 1-1 in the HAAC.
First Set: Graceland Takes the Lead
Graceland opened the match with determination, winning the first set 29-27 in a back-and-forth battle. Both teams exchanged points early, but a series of kills by Grace Jensen and Brenna Crabtree helped Graceland gain momentum. With strong serving from Marlis Aviles, who recorded two service aces during the set, Graceland managed to fend off William Penn's late rally.
Alyvia Johnson of William Penn led her team with six kills in the first set, but Graceland's defense, led by key blocks from Kaylee Baker and Grace Jensen, helped secure the set win.
Second Set: William Penn Responds
William Penn bounced back in the second set, taking advantage of Graceland's inconsistent attack and winning 25-17. The Yellowjackets struggled to find offensive rhythm, committing seven attacking errors while hitting just .023. On the other hand, William Penn maintained their pressure, with Johnson contributing three more kills and setter Lydia Houston facilitating the offense with precision, finishing the match with 31 assists.
Despite a valiant effort from Graceland's Sierra Kauweloa, who notched several kills, the Yellowjackets could not recover from an early deficit and dropped the second set.
Third Set: Graceland Shows Resilience
Graceland made adjustments in the third set but ultimately fell short, losing 25-20. The Yellowjackets improved their attack efficiency, with Crabtree leading the charge, tallying five kills in the set. However, William Penn's balanced attack, highlighted by seven kills from Patricia De Souza, kept Graceland at bay.
The set remained close for much of the action, but a series of Graceland errors late in the set allowed William Penn to pull away. Despite an inspired defensive effort, including key digs from libero Shelby Jabour, Graceland couldn't close the gap.
Fourth Set: William Penn Closes It Out
The fourth set saw William Penn maintain their momentum and finish the match with a 25-17 victory. Graceland's offense struggled to find its footing, committing five errors and hitting just .067 in the final set. Johnson continued her dominance for William Penn, finishing the match with 21 kills on 51 attempts.
Graceland showed flashes of strong play throughout the set, with standout performances from Crabtree and Kauweloa, but it wasn't enough to overcome William Penn's consistent attack. Houston's playmaking from the setter position and William Penn's defensive pressure sealed the match.
Graceland's Offense Led by Crabtree and Kauweloa
Crabtree was a standout for the Yellowjackets, recording 14 kills on 38 attempts, hitting .237 for the match. Kauweloa added 12 kills on 41 attempts, contributing to Graceland's attack. However, Graceland's overall attack percentage of .076 was not enough to keep pace with William Penn, who hit .167 for the match.
Jensen also contributed to the offensive effort with 11 kills, while Aviles led Graceland with three service aces. Libero Shelby Jabour had a solid defensive performance with 16 digs, while setter Hailey Kauweloa dished out 19 assists and added three service aces of her own.
Coach Stew McDole's Thoughts
After the match, head coach Stew McDole commented on the team's performance: "We have tools. Match after match we prove that we can play with anyone. Consistent execution is a core challenge for us, and we need to stay focused on building momentum through steady play."
McDole acknowledged the team's ability to compete with a strong William Penn squad but stressed the need for consistency moving forward as they prepare for their next match.
Looking Ahead
Graceland will face Central Methodist University in their next match on Friday at 7:00 PM in Fayette, Missouri. The Yellowjackets will look to bounce back and secure their first conference win of the season.
Match Stats:
- Kills: Graceland – Brenna Crabtree (14), Sierra Kauweloa (12), Grace Jensen (11); William Penn – Alyvia Johnson (21), Patricia De Souza (7)
- Assists: Graceland – Hailey Kauweloa (19); William Penn – Lydia Houston (31)
- Digs: Graceland – Shelby Jabour (16); William Penn – Katlyn Jeter (17)
- Service Aces: Graceland – Marlis Aviles (3), Hailey Kauweloa (3); William Penn – Kaya Caprini (2), Lydia Houston (1)
Graceland will look to regroup and sharpen its execution as they continue their conference campaign this week.