WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College will look to slow down one of the NAIA's hottest teams Wednesday evening when the Moundbuilders host Evangel University. Match will start at 5 p.m.
Evangel (23-2) (5-0 Conference) enters the match on a 16-match winning streak and has dropped just one set since mid-September. The Valor swept York University 3-0 on Saturday to stay unbeaten in conference play. They are led by Bella Wakley's 268 kills and team-best 3.08 kills per set. Viviana Sanchez and Sharayah Seymour have added steady firepower, combining for nearly 400 kills and more than 500 total points.
The Valor have one of the nation's top defenses, averaging 17.6 digs per set and 2.7 blocks per set, while holding opponents to a .064 attack percentage. Setter Brooklyn Claxton paces the offense with 433 assists, and libero Kenna Wise anchors the back row with 448 digs on the year.
Southwestern (8-12) (2-4 KCAC) returns home looking to rebound after a 3-1 loss at Tabor on Saturday. The Moundbuilders have been strong in Stewart Field House this season with a 2-2 home record and will lean on Freshamn Mikki Johnson, who leads the team with 168 kills and averages 2.71 per set. Fellow attacker senior Autumn Bennett adds 159 kills and a team-best with a .214 hitting percentage, while senior setter Reece Likes has distributed 269 assists.
Defensively, senior libero Avery Riedel leads Southwestern with 259 digs, and Macey Collier has been a force at the net, totaling 32 blocks.
Wednesday's contest will be a big test for the Moundbuilder, but they are looking to come out victorious.