WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College volleyball returns to Stewart Fieldhouse on Monday, Sept. 28, for a nonconference matchup against Cottey College.
The Builders (4-8) (0-3), Cottey (6-12) (1-5). Monday will mark the second meeting between the programs this season.
Southwestern has recorded 501 kills through 47 sets, averaging 10.66 kills per set while hitting .138 as a team. The Builders have also totaled 464 assists, 103 service aces, 705 digs and 48 blocks.
Mikki Johnson has emerged as one of Southwestern's most productive attackers, averaging a team-high 2.83 kills per set with 65 kills through 23 sets. Charli Richardson leads the team in total kills with 86 and averages 2.15 per set, while Kamryn Deffebaugh has added 81 kills.
Natalie Blaufuss continues to direct the Southwestern offense with 220 assists, averaging 4.68 per set. She also leads the Builders with 27 service aces. Ayden Joely-Petroff has contributed as both a setter and attacker while also recording 18 aces.
Defensively, Brooklyn Milleson leads Southwestern with 187 digs and averages 3.98 per set. Ariel Heinrich has added 109 digs and 13 service aces, giving the Builders another defensive and serving presence.
Southwestern's ability to pressure opponents from the service line has been one of its strengths this season. The Builders are averaging 2.19 aces per set, but offensive consistency will be important against a Cottey defense that has shown the ability to extend rallies.
Cottey has recorded 672 kills in 64 sets and is averaging 10.50 kills per set while hitting .111 as a team. The Comets have totaled 609 assists, 106 service aces, 1,108 digs and 90 blocks.
Serafina Auberry leads the Cottey attack with 207 kills and averages 3.23 kills per set. Tatum Marang has added 101 kills while averaging 3.16 per set, and Juli Marie Völkel has recorded 151 kills and 23 service aces.
Cottey uses multiple setters to run its offense. Abigail Berrones leads the team with 230 assists, while Blanca Cuellar Munoz has added 214. Samantha Hitchner has contributed 92 assists.
The Comets' defense has been a significant part of their style of play, averaging 17.31 digs per set. Paula Novo Baeza leads the back row with 281 digs, an average of 4.76 per set, while Aubrianna Jefferson has 157 and Völkel has 128.
Cottey also presents a challenge at the net. Hannah Janson leads the Comets with 49 total blocks, including 12 solo blocks and 37 block assists. Makenzie Seiler has added 28 total blocks.
The Builders and Comets previously met Sept. 4 in Lawrence, Kansas, with Southwestern earning a 3-1 victory. Southwestern won the opening set 25-13 before Cottey answered with a 25-21 victory in the second. The Builders responded by taking the final two sets 25-16 and 25-21.
Southwestern hit .185 in the first meeting and finished with 45 kills, 42 assists, 11 service aces and 65 digs while holding Cottey to a .062 hitting percentage.
Richardson and Madison Perkins each recorded 10 kills in the victory, while Blaufuss finished with nine kills, 17 assists and two service aces. Joely-Petroff contributed five kills, 17 assists and three aces.
Cottey was led by Völkel with 14 kills, while Auberry finished with 11. Novo Baeza anchored the Comets' defense with 20 digs.
Monday's rematch will feature Southwestern's serving pressure and balanced offensive options against a Cottey team that relies heavily on extended rallies, back-row defense and its leading attackers. The Builders will look to recreate the offensive balance and serving success that helped them earn the four-set victory earlier this month.
First serve between Southwestern and Cottey is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Stewart Fieldhouse.
