LAMONI, Iowa – Southwestern volleyball battled through a five-set thriller on the road at Graceland University Thursday night, ultimately falling 3–2 (18–25, 24–26, 25–22, 25–23, 15–10).

The Moundbuilders came out firing, taking control of the opening two sets with a balanced attack and scrappy defense. In the opener, a strong serving run from Ashlyn Tag (12 points, 10 digs, 4 service aces) sparked Southwestern to a 25–18 win. The second set proved to be a nail-biter, with Southwestern pulling away late thanks to clutch kills from Mikki Johnson (11 kills, .267 hitting) and Autumn Bennett (11 kills). The Builders edged Graceland 26–24 to seize a 2–0 match lead.

Momentum shifted in set three as Graceland settled in, while Southwestern struggled offensively, hitting just .000 in the frame. Despite multiple rallies fueled by Reece Likes' 19 assists and two service aces, the Builders couldn't close the gap and fell 25–22.

Set four again swung back and forth. Southwestern built an early cushion, but Graceland answered with timely serving and edged the Builders 25–23 to force a decisive fifth.

In the final set, Southwestern struck first with a Bennett kill and a Blaufuss service ace, but Graceland's attack was too strong down the stretch. The Builders fell 15–10, dropping the match despite holding the overall edge in digs (64–61).

Southwestern finished the night with 38 kills, nine aces, and six blocks. Johnson and Bennett led the offense with 11 kills apiece, while Tag added seven kills and four aces. Avery Riedel anchored the defense with 18 digs, and Natalie Blaufuss distributed 15 assists with three aces.

The Builders (0–1) return to action this weekend at the Labor Day Tournament hosted by William Penn University. The two-day event runs Friday and Saturday in Oskaloosa, Iowa.