WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College will look to carry momentum from a September turnaround into Saturday's 1 p.m. KCAC matchup against county rival Bethel College.
The Moundbuilders (7-10) (1-2 KCAC) struggled early in nonconference play but have found stability in recent weeks, winning six of their last eight matches, including a straight-sets sweep at Sterling on Sept. 27th.
Freshman outside hitter Mikki Johnson leads the Builders with 132 kills (2.81 per set), while senior Autumn Bennett 117 kills, (.241 attack percentage) and senior Macey Collier has 84 kills (.324 percentage) which provides balance at the net. Junior setter Natalie Blaufuss has paced the attack with 235 assists (4.8 per set), and senior libero Avery Riedel anchors the defense with 187 digs.
Bethel (12-8) (2-1 KCAC) enters as one of the KCAC's top offensive squads, averaging 12.3 kills per set on a .198 hitting percentage. Cameron Offerle is the focal point of the Threshers' attack with 343 kills (4.76 per set), while Alayna Vines adds 111 kills and 53 blocks. Defensively, Bethel averages 15.2 digs per set, led by Abby Koontz's with 336 digs.
Southwestern has been strong in three-set matches this fall (6-4) but has struggled in longer contests, going 0-2 in five-setters. Bethel, by contrast, has proven more battle-tested with three wins in five-set matches.
This match marks a key early-season test for both sides as they try to climb the KCAC standings. It offers Southwestern a chance to gain ground in the early conference standings.Your Builders will take on Bethel at 1PM on October 4th.
