WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern College volleyball team will travel to Lindsborg, Kan., on Saturday, Oct. 31, to face the Bethany College Swedes in a KCAC matchup at Ray D. Hahn Gymnasium.
The Builders (7-15) (0-10 KCAC) enter Saturday's contest looking to snap a four-match losing streak and secure their first conference victory of the season. Southwestern is coming off a three-set loss to Kansas Wesleyan on Oct. 24, falling 25-14, 26-24, 25-20. Despite the result, the Builders showed resilience in the second set, pushing the Coyotes beyond regulation points.
Southwestern's offense has been led by Charli Richardson, who has recorded a team-high 176 kills, averaging 2.32 per set. Mikki Johnson follows closely with 166 kills and a team-leading 2.81 kills per set, while Kamryn Deffebaugh has contributed 115 kills. Haleigh Weber has provided efficiency at the net, posting a .250 hitting percentage with 107 kills and a team-high 34 total blocks.
Senior setter Natalie Blaufuss continues to direct the Builders' offense, recording 390 assists and a team-high 44 service aces this season. Blaufuss also reached a significant career milestone in Southwestern's previous match against Kansas Wesleyan, surpassing 1,000 career assists after connecting with Johnson for a kill early in the opening set.
Defensively, Brooklyn Milleson leads Southwestern with 313 digs, averaging 3.77 per set, while Richardson has added 157 digs. The Builders have totaled 901 kills, 817 assists and 165 service aces through 22 matches, averaging 10.86 kills and 1.99 aces per set.
Bethany (7-17) (2-7 KCAC) enters the matchup looking to capitalize on its home-court advantage, where the Swedes have posted a 5-4 record this season. Bethany's offense has been led by Ashlynn Gehring, who has recorded 240 kills, averaging 3.48 per set. Gehring has also contributed 285 digs, making her a key presence on both sides of the court.
Kailyn Jefferson follows with 156 kills, while Josie McLean has added 129 kills and a team-high 344 assists. McLean also leads Bethany with 23 service aces, providing the Swedes with offensive versatility.
Defensively, Keylian Gomez Quiles leads Bethany with 308 digs, averaging 3.90 per set, while Antonette Carochi has recorded a team-high 36 total blocks. The Swedes have totaled 771 kills, 718 assists and 1,375 digs this season.
Saturday's matchup features two teams with contrasting strengths. Southwestern holds an advantage in offensive production and serving, averaging 10.86 kills and 1.99 service aces per set compared with Bethany's 9.76 kills and 1.18 aces per set. The Builders have also posted a higher team hitting percentage at .141 compared with Bethany's .075.
Bethany, however, has demonstrated stronger defensive coverage, averaging 17.41 digs per set compared with Southwestern's 13.70. The Swedes' ability to extend rallies and generate second-chance opportunities could challenge the Builders' offensive attack.
The two programs last met Nov. 1, 2025, at Stewart Fieldhouse, where Bethany defeated Southwestern in four sets, 25-22, 19-25, 28-26, 25-15. Johnson recorded 10 kills for the Builders, while Blaufuss contributed 22 assists and four service aces. Gehring led Bethany with 12 kills, helping the Swedes secure the conference victory.
Southwestern will look to establish an aggressive offensive rhythm and capitalize on its serving strength, while Bethany will rely on its defensive consistency and home-court advantage. Limiting attack errors and maintaining control during extended rallies will be important for the Builders as they seek to reverse last season's result.
First serve between Southwestern and Bethany is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Ray D. Hahn Gymnasium in Lindsborg, Kan.
