Women’s Volleyball Takes Victory in Heart Openers Against Clarke

Dubuque, Iowa - The Graceland University women's volleyball team took on the Clarke University Pride in their Conference Opener. The Yellowjacket were victorious against the Pride 3-2. Graceland moves to 4-5 on the season.

Graceland (4-5, 1-0) vs. Clarke (1-10, 0-1)
Set 1: Graceland 25 | Clark 18
The Yellowjackets would snag the first four points from a triple kill by Allison Long and Addison Demesko. Clarke would work to close their deficit and would tie (7-7), and both teams would trade points (10-10). Graceland would answer with a six-point rally from the serve of Demesko. The Yellowjackets would continue their advantage and take the first set.

Set 2: Graceland 22 | Clarke 25
The Pride entered the second set on fire to take the lead. The Yellowjackets would push to close their disadvantage (10-6). Clarke would push a six-point jump to lead by five (19-11). Both teams would go back and forth. The Yellowjackets would close the gap to two points (24-22), but Clarke would stanch the second set.

Set 3: Graceland 19 | Clarke 25
Clarke would continue their dynamic to run an 8-3 lead early in the set. Graceland would retaliate from the Brenna Crabtree kill from Sera Tofi, and key points would come from Crabtree, Allison Long and back-to-back Shelby Jabour aces (13-13). The Pride would return a 7-2 rally to retake the lead and take four of the remaining seven points.

Set 4: Graceland 25 | Clarke 13
Both teams would come out competitive, neither taking the lead for long. The Yellowjackets would capitalize on Clarke's errors and go on a ten-point scoring run, with key points Brenna Crabtree, Allison Long (four kills), and from the serve of Addison Demesko. Graceland would take the fourth set.

Set 5: Graceland 15 | Clarke 10
The Yellowjackets would come out on fire and work to an 11-3 lead. Clarke would retaliate to close their gap to four points. The Yellowjackets would have a hitting percentage of 0.421 from 11 kills on 19 attempts. A kill by Brenna Crabtree from Addison Demesko would end the set and give Graceland the victory.

Graceland Leaders -
DIGS: Hailey Kauweloa – 17
KILLS: Allison Long – 18
SERVICE ACES: Addison Demesko – 5
BLOCKS: Three Players – 2

Clarke Leaders –
DIGS: Madison Peck – 12
KILLS: Kortney Harms – 9
SERVICE ACES: Kortney Harms – 2
BLOCKS: Brittney Mundell – 7

Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will be back on the court on Saturday, September 9, when they travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to take on the Mount Mercy (Iowa) University Mustangs. Start time is set for 2:00 PM.

-Yellowjackets-