WINDFIELD ---- Southwestern College was unable to slow down Kansas Wesleyan's efficient attack tonight, falling in straight sets (25-18, 25-21, 25-19) in a KCAC matchup inside Mabee Arena.

The loss drops the Builders to 8-16 overall and 2-8 in the KCAC, while the Coyotes improved to 12-11 overall and 6-3 in the KCAC. 

Southwestern battled through several long rallies and held early leads in both the second and third sets, but Kansas Wesleyan's balanced offense proved too much. The Coyotes hit .260 as a team and notched 39 kills compared to the Builders' 36.

 Freshman outside hitter Mikki Johnson led Southwestern with 12 kills on a .259 hitting percentage. Another freshman hitter Ashlyn Tag added 11 kills and one ace to match Johnson for a team-high 12 points. Senior hitter Autumn Benett chipped in seven kills, freshman middle-blocker Haleigh Weber contributed three kills and a block assist.

Senior setters Reece Likes and Natalie Blaufuss combined for 28 of Southwestern's 32 assists, with Likes tallying 14 assists and one ace. Senior libero Avery Riedel anchored the back row with a team-best of 10 digs, and senior Riley Valley added eight.

Kansas Wesleyan was led by Kylee Harris, who tallied nine kills on .333 hitting, and Joey Pennington, who added eight kills with a .467 clip. Tristyn Hedman paced the defense with 16 digs, and Blair Pennington dished out 16 assists to go with two service aces.

The Coyotes used a late 7–1 run to close the opening set and carried that momentum into the second, fending off a late Southwestern push. The Builders fought back from a four-point deficit in the second to tie the set at 21 before KWU took the final four points. The third frame saw 13 ties before Kansas Wesleyan pulled away with six of the last eight points.

Southwestern finished the match hitting .129 overall and recording five aces and two team blocks.

The Builders are on the road again next Thursday to play Randall University at 6 PM.