WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College volleyball will return to action Friday, Sept. 4, with two nonconference matches at the Haskell Invitational in Lawrence, Kansas.
The Builders (1-3) will face Cottey College (3-2) at 1 p.m. before taking on unbeaten Philander Smith University (4-0) at 3:30 p.m. Both matches will be played at Tony Coffin Sports Complex.
Southwestern enters the weekend coming off its first victory of the season, a five-set comeback win over Doane University on Aug. 29. The Builders dropped the opening two sets before rallying to win 21-25, 19-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-12. Southwestern also faced Hannibal-LaGrange, Wayland Baptist and Park during its opening weekend.
Through four matches, Southwestern is averaging 10.38 kills, 9.38 assists, 2.00 service aces, 16.19 digs and 1.75 blocks per set. The Builders have shown their greatest strength defensively at the net, recording 28 total blocks compared with 16 by their opponents.
Mikki Johnson has led the Southwestern attack with 39 kills through 16 sets, averaging 2.44 kills per set. Johnson has also been one of the Builders' most effective servers with a team-high eight aces while contributing 45 digs.
Autumn Bennett has provided another consistent option offensively, recording 29 kills at a .247 hitting percentage. Kamryn Deffebaugh and Macey Collier have each added 31 kills, giving Southwestern several players capable of producing offensively.
Collier has also been a key presence at the net. She leads the Builders with 15 total blocks and is averaging 0.94 blocks per set while hitting .211. Haleigh Weber has added 11 blocks and is hitting a team-best .325 among Southwestern players with at least 40 attack attempts.
Southwestern has used multiple players to run its offense. Natalie Blaufuss leads the Builders with 66 assists and averages 4.13 assists per set, while Ayden Joely-Petroff has contributed 48 assists at 3.00 per set.
Defensively, Brooklyn Milleson leads Southwestern with 60 digs and averages 3.75 per set. Ariel Heinrich has added 40 digs, while Johnson has collected 45. The Builders are averaging more than 16 digs per set, allowing them to extend rallies and create additional offensive opportunities.
One area Southwestern will look to improve is its efficiency. The Builders are hitting .137 as a team compared with .163 by their opponents. Southwestern has also committed 50 service errors while allowing 43 opposing aces. Limiting unforced errors and maintaining control in serve receive will be important against two teams that have started the season above .500.
Southwestern vs. Cottey College
Cottey enters Friday's opener with a 3-2 record and has shown the ability to win through defense and balanced offensive production.
The Comets are averaging 10.78 kills per set while holding opponents to 9.67. Although Cottey is hitting just .104 as a team, its opponents have been limited to a .082 attacking percentage. That defensive pressure has helped the Comets remain successful even when their offense has not been highly efficient.
Serafina Auberry leads Cottey with 60 kills through 18 sets, averaging 3.33 kills per set. Juli Marie Völkel follows with 51 kills at 2.83 per set and has also contributed 50 digs and seven blocks.
Tatum Marang has been especially productive in limited action, averaging 4.20 kills per set and hitting .268 through five sets.
Setter Abigail Berrones directs the majority of the Comets' offense and has recorded 131 assists, averaging 7.28 per set. Her ability to distribute the ball to several attackers gives Cottey opportunities to vary its offensive approach.
The Comets' biggest statistical strength has come in the back row. Cottey averages 16.94 digs per set, led by Aubrianna Jefferson with 51 digs, Völkel with 50 and Maysi Miller with 43.
Cottey also averages 2.22 service aces per set, which could challenge a Southwestern serve-receive unit that has surrendered 43 aces through its first four matches.
At the net, Hannah Janson leads Cottey with 15 total blocks. Southwestern's advantage in blocking could become an important part of the matchup, especially if the Builders can slow Auberry and Völkel and force Cottey into longer rallies.
The matchup could become a battle of defensive consistency. Both teams average more than 16 digs per set, making ball control and transition offense important factors. Southwestern will look to use its stronger blocking numbers and multiple attacking options to create separation.
Southwestern vs. Philander Smith
Southwestern will face a different challenge in the second match against Philander Smith, which enters the Haskell Invitational with a 4-0 record.
The Panthers have been dominant through their first four matches, winning all 12 sets they have played while hitting .315 as a team. Opponents are hitting just .041 against Philander Smith, highlighting the Panthers' ability to control matches both offensively and defensively.
Philander Smith's attack is defined by efficiency and balance. Ja'Niya Sanders leads the Panthers with 21 kills while hitting .405. Antonisha Whitney has recorded 20 kills with a .310 hitting percentage, while Aleria Lane has 15 kills and is hitting .364.
Kiah Rucker has been one of Philander Smith's most efficient attackers, recording 10 kills on 14 attempts for a .643 hitting percentage. Angelle Thibeaux is also hitting .333 while contributing 13 kills.
Rather than relying heavily on one attacker, the Panthers have several players capable of scoring efficiently, making them difficult to defend. Southwestern's blocking unit could be critical in disrupting that balanced attack.
Philander Smith has also been particularly dangerous from the service line. The Panthers have recorded 75 aces through 12 sets, an average of 6.25 per set. Amber Chaten and Jalynn Brown-Peterson each have 14 aces, while Julixa Cintron has 11.
That serving pressure could be one of the biggest challenges for Southwestern. The Builders will need consistent passing to keep Blaufuss and Joely-Petroff in position to run the offense and give Southwestern's hitters opportunities in system.
The Panthers have also been effective at the net, averaging 1.33 blocks per set. Thibeaux leads the team with eight total blocks, while Rucker has seven and Sanders has five.
Philander Smith's early success has come from controlling first contact, serving aggressively and converting efficiently when attacking. Southwestern's ability to extend rallies with its defense and use its blocking advantage could help disrupt the Panthers' rhythm.
Friday's matches will give Southwestern an opportunity to build on the resilience it showed in its comeback victory over Doane. The Builders will face a defensively sound Cottey team in the opener before testing themselves against an unbeaten and efficient Philander Smith squad later in the afternoon.
First serve against Cottey is scheduled for 1 p.m., followed by their matchup with Philander Smith at 3:30 p.m. at Tony Coffin Sports Complex in Lawrence.
