SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. — Southwestern (Kan.) opened its 2025 season with a pair of tough setbacks Saturday at the Sooner/RRAC Challenge, dropping a five-set heartbreaker to John Brown (Ark.) before falling in straight sets to Texas A&M–Texarkana.

The Moundbuilders came out strong against the host Golden Eagles, cruising to a 25–15 victory in the opening set. John Brown responded by taking the next two frames, but Southwestern answered with a 25–19 win in the fourth to force a decisive fifth. The finale featured 10 ties and six lead changes before John Brown prevailed 17–15 to close out the match.

Southwestern totaled 47 kills in the match, paced by Ashlyn Tag's 13 kills on a .414 hitting percentage. Macey Collier added 10 kills and a team-high five blocks, while libero Avery Riedel anchored the defense with 25 digs. Setter Reece Likes directed the offense with 18 assists.

In the second match of the day, Southwestern pushed Texarkana in the early stages but couldn't sustain momentum, falling 25–22, 25–18, 25–16. The Builders managed 22 kills as Mikki Johnson led the way with eight kills and four service aces. Riedel added 12 digs, while Likes collected eight assists and 10 digs.

Southwestern (1–3) will now return home from Arkansas before heading back on the road to face Graceland University on August 28 at 7 p.m. in Lamoni, Iowa.