WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College will look to get back on track in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play when it travels to face Kansas Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Friday inside Mabee Arena.
The Lady Builders (8-15, 2-7 KCAC) enter the matchup aiming to regain momentum after a tough stretch in conference play. Southwestern has battled through several close matches this fall and will look to turn those efforts into results against a Kansas Wesleyan team sitting in the upper half of the league standings.
Freshman outside hitter Mikki Johnson has been a breakout performer for the Builders this season, leading the team with 185 kills while averaging 2.61 per set. Her strong left-side attack has become a focal point for Southwestern's offense, giving the Builders a reliable scoring option in tight sets.
Senior right-side hitter Autumn Bennett provides a steady veteran presence on the floor, posting 187 kills on a .233 hitting percentage. Her ability to score from the opposite pin and block at the net has made her one of the team's most balanced players.
Junior setter Natalie Blaufuss has continued to lead the offense with 356 assists, running a quick-tempo system that utilizes multiple attacking options. Blaufuss also adds pressure from the service line, where she has tallied 26 aces this season.
Senior libero Avery Riedel anchors the back row with 286 digs, averaging 3.62 per set. Riedel's consistency in serve receive has been a key factor in Southwestern's success during extended rallies. Middle blocker Macey Collier adds a strong net presence with 114 kills and 34 total blocks, helping to stabilize the Builders' front line.
Southwestern enters the weekend averaging 10.4 kills and 13.8 digs per set. The Builders are looking to improve their efficiency on attack and reduce errors after facing some of the KCAC's top defensive teams in recent weeks. The team's depth has continued to grow, with players such as Ashlyn Tag and Haleigh Weber providing solid contributions at the net.
Kansas Wesleyan (11-11, 5-3 KCAC) features one of the conference's top hitters in Rylee Serpan, who leads the Coyotes with 293 kills and a .244 attack percentage. Setter Blair Pennington has distributed 312 assists, while libero Kori Arnold has anchored the defense with 245 digs.
Kansas Wesleyan averages 12.6 kills per set on .177 hitting, while holding opponents to .175. The Coyotes also bring a strong blocking presence with 134 total blocks this season.
Friday's matchup marks Southwestern's ninth road contest of the year. The Builders are 3-5 away from home and will look to bring their balanced offensive attack and aggressive serving to Salina as they aim for a key KCAC road win. Southwestern will return home next week for a two-match stretch at Stewart Field House.
