WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern College volleyball team showed resilience and battled throughout Saturday's KCAC matchup but fell to Kansas Wesleyan University in straight sets, 25-14, 26-24, 25-20, at Stewart Fieldhouse.
Despite the loss, Southwestern had a historic milestone to celebrate as senior setter Natalie Blaufuss surpassed 1,000 career assists. The milestone came early in the opening set, with the Builders trailing 4-2, when Blaufuss connected with Mikki Johnson for a kill to bring Southwestern within one point. The achievement marks a significant accomplishment in Blaufuss' collegiate career, highlighting her consistency, leadership and contributions to the Builders' offense.
The Builders (7-15) (0-10 KCAC) were led offensively by Charli Richardson, who finished with a team-high 11 kills on a .226 hitting percentage, along with six digs and a service ace. Kamryn Deffebaugh added seven kills, while Ayden Joely Petroff contributed six kills and a team-high 15 assists.
Kansas Wesleyan (15-11) (4-5 KCAC) established an early advantage in the opening set, using an efficient offensive attack to build momentum. The Coyotes recorded 15 kills and hit .414 in the first frame, securing a 25-14 victory.
Southwestern responded with its strongest performance in the second set, recording 16 kills and challenging Kansas Wesleyan throughout the frame. The Builders jumped out to an early 9-4 lead behind contributions from Deffebaugh, Joely Petroff and Richardson.
Despite Kansas Wesleyan rallying to take a 16-14 advantage, Southwestern continued to battle. A kill from Richardson and strong offensive contributions from Deffebaugh helped the Builders regain control, taking a 22-19 lead late in the set.
The Coyotes answered with a three-point run to tie the score at 22 before eventually reaching set point at 24-23. Richardson delivered a crucial kill to even the score at 24, but Kansas Wesleyan secured the final two points to escape with a 26-24 victory.
In the third set, Southwestern continued to compete, overcoming an early 6-2 deficit with a five-point run highlighted by back-to-back service aces from Olivia DeLeon. The rally gave the Builders a 7-6 advantage.
Kansas Wesleyan regained control midway through the set, but Southwestern continued to fight. Trailing 21-17, the Builders scored three consecutive points, capped by a Richardson service ace, to pull within one at 21-20. However, the Coyotes closed the match with four unanswered points to secure the 25-20 victory.
Richardson's offensive performance highlighted Southwestern's efforts, while Deffebaugh provided additional production at the net. Joely Petroff contributed 15 assists, and senior setter Natalie Blaufuss added 11 assists, two service aces and three digs.
Defensively, libero Brooklyn Milleson led the Builders with 10 digs, while DeLeon added seven digs and two service aces. Southwestern finished with five service aces compared with Kansas Wesleyan's one.
The Builders recorded 32 kills, 29 assists and 33 digs while hitting .071 for the match. Kansas Wesleyan finished with 40 kills, 35 assists and 43 digs, posting a .253 hitting percentage.
Southwestern will return to action Saturday, Oct. 31, when the Builders travel to Lindsborg, Kan., to face the Bethany College Swedes at Ray D. Gymnasium. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
