WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College rode steady serving and clutch hitting in key moments to earn a straight-set sweep of Sterling College, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23, in Saturday's Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup.

The Moundbuilders (7-9, 1-1 KCAC) controlled long stretches of the match, taking advantage of Sterling's miscues while finding offensive balance across the front row.

Southwestern pulled away late in the opening set after a back-and-forth start that featured 13 ties. Autumn Bennett, who finished with 12 kills, provided the spark with consecutive swings that gave the Builders breathing room in a 25-19 win.

The second set showcased Southwestern's serving pressure. Natalie Blaufuss delivered two aces during a 5-0 run to open the frame, and the Builders never trailed. Macey Collier hammered six of her 10 kills in the set, hitting .643 for the match, while Bennett and Mikki Johnson chipped in timely points at the net to close out a 25-22 victory.

Sterling pushed hardest in the third, erasing a four-point deficit to pull within one late. But the Moundbuilders answered with defense — libero Avery Riedel's 13 digs steadied the back row, and Reece Likes (12 assists, 10 digs) kept the offense in rhythm. Johnson and Bennett delivered consecutive kills to push Southwestern to match point, and Ashlyn Tag sealed the sweep with her fourth kill of the night for a 25-23 win.

Overall, Southwestern hit .164 with 41 kills, five aces, and four blocks. Johnson tallied nine kills, while Blaufuss paced the setting attack with 20 assists. Riedel and Valley combined for 20 digs as the Builders edged Sterling in defensive play, 60-56.

Sterling (9-5, 0-2 KCAC) was held to a .151 hitting percentage, including just eight kills in the final set.

Southwestern returns home Wednesday to host Oklahoma Wesleyan in another KCAC matchup.