OTTAWA, Kan. – On Wednesday night, the Southwestern College volleyball team began their Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) slate in Ottawa, Kan. against the (RV) Ottawa University Braves. It was a tough opponent for the Builders to face to open their conference season, as they fell in straight sets to the home squad.

Facing an impressive opponent in Ottawa, the Builders struggled to get into any offensive rhythm, as the opening set equated to an eight-kill and eight-error performance by SC. The Braves would churn out a 13-kill set, while only committing five errors to hit at .205 in the opening frame.

The second frame had nearly the same outcome for Southwestern, though this time it was seven kills and seven errors that their attackers produced. Ottawa was otherworldly in the middle frame, as they posted a .421 clip with 17 kills and just a lone miscue.

Set three was the Moundbuilders' strongest offensive set, as they finally came up with a positive attacking percentage. Their nine kills and six errors led to a .075 clip in the final stanza. The Braves continued to swing well, as they had 12 kills and only two errors while attacking in the deciding set.

Daci Stover led the Builders in kills and had the second-strongest percentage as a hitter in the battle among qualified attackers. She put down seven of her 27 swings with just two miscues, which led her to a .185 clip at the conclusion of the tilt. Brianna Ede had five kills on 16 tries in the bout, and she earned the top ratio on the team with a .188 mark. Adeline McIntire was also in the positive as an attacker with five kills on 17 attacks. She swung at .118 for the match.

Sierra Norlin (11) and Maela Stevens (9) almost evenly split the assist duties in the match, though they were not able to reach their typical numbers in the category.

Sophia Wicker continues to rack up digs, as she lifted 23 balls from the floor in the three-set battle. She was followed in double-digits by Norlin, who had 11 pickups.

Southwestern (4-8, 0-1 KCAC) will now face an opponent that they have already seen this season. They will face off with Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Tuesday, September 27 at 8 p.m. inside Stewart Field House, and will be looking for their first KCAC triumph of the young campaign. In the first meeting between the two teams this year, Southwestern fell 3-1 to the Eagles, and will therefore be looking to flip the script this time around.

--buildersports.com--