WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern wrapped up the 2025 volleyball season at 9–19, closing a year marked by growth, heavy contributions from underclassmen and meaningful milestones for several veteran players. The Moundbuilders finished 2–11 in KCAC play and 7–8 outside the conference, showing improvement throughout the fall despite facing one of the most challenging schedules in the league.
One of the biggest storylines came from senior libero Avery Riedel, who finished the season with 380 digs — bringing her career total at Southwestern to more than 1,000. Riedel, who appeared in all 28 matches and averaged 3.88 digs per set, reached the four-year milestone late in the season and cemented herself as one of the program's most reliable defensive players of the last decade. Her steady serve-receive work and on-court command provided stability to a roster that depended heavily on newcomers.
Another pivotal development came from senior opposite hitter Autumn Bennett, who led the team with 247 kills while averaging 2.63 per set. Bennett, one of the most consistent and experienced scorers in the lineup, announced she will return for a fifth year, giving Southwestern a veteran anchor for 2026. Her presence on the right side offered balance to an attack that frequently relied on first-year hitters.
Junior setter Natalie Blaufuss guided the offense with 488 assists and added 148 digs and 42 aces. Her playmaking allowed the team's young attackers to find rhythm in extended stretches, especially during nonconference play when Southwestern opened the season with four early wins.
Freshman outside hitters Ashlyn Tag and Mikki Johnson were two of the team's most productive newcomers. Johnson led the team with 248 kills, averaging 2.67 per set, while Tag added 212 kills and 89 digs. Both played all 28 matches and quickly became central pieces of the offense, combining for more than 460 kills as first-year contributors.
In the middle, junior Macey Collier posted one of the most efficient seasons in the KCAC, hitting .326 with 154 kills and 46 blocks. Freshman middle blocker Haleigh Weber added 55 blocks and 45 kills while emerging as a key defensive force in the front row. Senior Haylie Poole added 54 kills and 26 blocks, providing rotational depth and veteran leadership.
Freshman opposite hitter Sarah Dippre added 71 kills and nine blocks in her first collegiate season, giving Southwestern another young option in the attack. Senior defensive specialist Kalissa Ortega supplied 160 digs, appearing in all 28 matches and providing stability in the back row. Senior Riley Valley added 151 digs, finishing her collegiate career as one of the team's most consistent passers.
Southwestern showed strong stretches throughout the fall, including a 6–2 run through early September when the team averaged more than 12 kills per set. One of the season's brightest moments came Oct. 8 in a five-set road win at Avila, where the Builders tallied 53 kills and 78 digs in one of their most complete performances of the year. A sweep at Randall on Oct. 30 marked the team's final road win and showcased continued improvement in its blocking and serving.
Despite dropping the final three matches of the year, Southwestern closed November averaging its highest kill rate of any month, signaling offensive progress and improved efficiency as the season wound down.
With several seniors departing, the Builders will lean on a promising young core moving forward. The return of Bennett for a fifth year adds proven experience, while Johnson, Tag, Dippre, Weber and Blaufuss form a foundation that gives Southwestern reasons for optimism heading into 2026.
The season's record tells part of the story, but the development of the freshman class, the emergence of new scoring options and the career milestone achieved by Riedel helped define a team that showed resilience and steady growth across the fall. The groundwork laid this year positions the program for a stronger, more polished campaign in the seasons ahead.
