Graceland Falls in Straight Sets at Grand View, Turns Focus to Final Homestand

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Graceland University men's volleyball team dropped a Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup to Grand View University on Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets (25-18, 25-12, 25-17) at Sisam Arena. The Yellowjackets were unable to generate sustained momentum against the Vikings' efficient offense and consistent service pressure.

With the loss, Graceland moves to 2-20 overall and 0-15 in conference play. Grand View improves to 16-4 overall and 14-3 in the Heart.

Graceland hit just .085 as a team and committed nine service errors while recording only two aces. The Yellowjackets' offense was led by Kalanikapu Aona, who tallied five kills on 12 attempts. Chase VanDellen and Elijah Kline added four kills each, while Blake Hauschild finished with three.

Setter Luis Garcia distributed 10 assists and recorded one service ace, while Christopher Sawyer chipped in seven assists, two digs, and a block assist. The Yellowjackets were limited to just 15 total kills and four total blocks in the match.

Grand View hit .414 as a team with 42 kills and just 13 errors on 70 swings. The Vikings took control early in each set and used a balanced attack with six players contributing four or more kills. Nelson Becassis and Michael Meacham led the effort with a combined 13 kills on 19 total attempts.

Graceland showed flashes in each set, including a 4-0 run to open the second and a 5-2 lead in the third behind a block from VanDellen and Aona. But Grand View responded each time with scoring runs fueled by its service game and transition efficiency.

After the match, head coach Eric Majors emphasized the need to finish the season with growth and urgency.

"We ran into a very well-organized Grand View team today. Their tempo and decision-making made it hard to establish any rhythm," Majors said. "That said, we had moments where we were executing well—we just have to extend those stretches. It's about consistency and pressure. We've got four matches left, all at home, and I want to see us compete with focus, with confidence, and with a higher level of execution. These last two weeks are an opportunity for us to finish the right way."

Graceland will now begin its final homestand of the 2025 season, a four-match stretch at the Morden Center over the next eight days.

• The Yellowjackets will host Missouri Valley College on Tuesday, April 1, at 7 p.m.

• On Friday, April 4, Graceland welcomes Missouri Baptist University for another 7 p.m. first serve.

• The homestand continues Saturday, April 5, with a 1 p.m. match against University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy (UHSP).

• The regular season finale is set for Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m., when the Yellowjackets take on Morningside University.

For more information on Graceland men's volleyball and all Yellowjackets athletics, visit GUjackets.com.