Yellowjacket Volleyball Falls to Clarke in Straight Sets

Dubuque, Iowa – The Graceland University Yellowjackets women's volleyball team endured a tough loss against Clarke University in three closely contested sets, falling 23-25, 22-25, and 21-25 in Dubuque, Iowa. Despite showing resilience and flashes of brilliance, the Yellowjackets (2-20, 1-12) were unable to overcome Clarke (12-14, 3-9), who capitalized on key plays during the match's most critical moments.

Graceland started strong in the first set, demonstrating an aggressive offensive approach. Senior outside hitter Brenna Crabtree led the charge with 10 kills, while Kaci Young and Grace Jensen added 9 kills each. The Yellowjackets accumulated 14 kills on 37 attempts in the first set, hitting at a .297 clip, but Clarke's defense, led by Rachel Haubert, managed to stifle Graceland's momentum just enough to secure the first set 25-23.

"We were aggressive, we were tenacious, it absolutely could have gone the other way," said Graceland Head Coach Stew McDole following the match. "Our five-hour trip resulted in an exciting match for both teams."

Clarke opened the second set with similar intensity, but Graceland continued to fight back. The Yellowjackets kept pace for much of the set, with multiple strong performances at the net and solid setting from Hailey Kauweloa, who recorded 12 assists on the night. Graceland's attack, however, faltered slightly as the set progressed, committing nine attacking errors and ultimately falling 22-25.

In the final set, Graceland again battled hard, but Clarke's consistent offensive performance, especially from outside hitter Maya Watters, who led all players with 16 kills, proved too much for the Yellowjackets. Despite their efforts, including a strong blocking presence by middle blocker Kylee Dixon, who added 5 kills and 1 block assist, the Yellowjackets were unable to recover from key mistakes, dropping the final set 21-25.

Statistically, Graceland ended the night with 40 kills on 147 attempts, hitting at .102 overall. Clarke, on the other hand, recorded a .194 hitting percentage with 38 kills on 124 attempts. Clarke's Haubert and Watters proved to be a formidable duo, combining for 26 of Clarke's total kills and anchoring a solid defense that collected 71 digs, as opposed to Graceland's 67.

Serving was another key area where both teams struggled at times. Graceland tallied six service aces, including two from setter Sera Tofi, but also committed nine service errors, which hampered their ability to maintain momentum during critical stretches. Clarke also had its share of service issues, recording six service errors of their own, but managed to execute key serves when needed.

Defensively, Graceland's back row worked tirelessly to keep rallies alive, with libero Shelby Jabour leading the team with 23 digs. However, Clarke's front row created challenges at the net, particularly during long rallies, leading to several well-timed blocks that shifted the momentum in their favor.

Head Coach McDole remained optimistic about the performance of his team. "We showed fight, and that's all I can ask for. The sets were competitive, and we had chances, but in the end, the small errors made the difference. This match could have gone either way."

With this loss, Graceland continues to face challenges as they push through the final stages of the season. The Yellowjackets will look to bounce back quickly, with another road game tomorrow against Mount Mercy University at 1:00 p.m. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.