Yellowjacket Volleyball Battles in Five-Set Thriller Against Clarke University
LAMONI, Iowa – The Graceland University Yellowjackets fought fiercely but fell short in a five-set match against Clarke University, 3-2, at the Morden Center on Friday night. Despite the loss, the Yellowjackets displayed resilience and determination, pushing the Pride to the brink in a match filled with momentum swings and standout performances from both sides.
Clarke, now 11-6 overall and 2-2 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC), took the first two sets, 25-15 and 25-15. However, Graceland rallied in the third and fourth sets, securing narrow victories of 25-23 and 25-16, forcing the deciding fifth set. Clarke clinched the match in the final set, 15-12, dropping the Yellowjackets to 1-14 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
Set-by-Set Breakdown
The Pride dominated early, taking advantage of Graceland's struggles in serve-receive and offensive consistency. Clarke's standout hitter, Maya Watters, tallied a match-high 24 kills with a .360 attack percentage, applying relentless pressure on Graceland's defense.
In the first set, Graceland found it difficult to contain Clarke's balanced offense, with Watters and Rachel Haubert leading the charge. The Yellowjackets fell behind quickly and could not recover, dropping the set 25-15.
The second set followed a similar script, with Clarke jumping out to an early lead. Despite kills from Brenna Crabtree and Grace Jensen, Graceland's offense struggled to gain momentum. Clarke capitalized on Graceland's errors, taking the second set, 25-15.
However, the Yellowjackets showed resolve in the third set. Led by Crabtree's 17 kills and Jensen's 14, Graceland found its rhythm, cutting down on unforced errors and improving its block efficiency. Middle blocker Jenthe Van Kastel and right-side hitter Kylee Dixon were instrumental in this turnaround, contributing key blocks and kills as Graceland edged Clarke 25-23 in a back-and-forth battle.
The fourth set saw the Yellowjackets at their best, executing strong defensive plays and delivering aggressive serves. Shelby Jabour provided stability in the libero position, notching 21 digs, while setter Kariana Hernandez Cruz orchestrated the offense with 25 assists. Graceland capitalized on Clarke's service errors and closed out the set with a convincing 25-16 win.
Fifth Set Thriller
In the deciding fifth set, both teams exchanged points in a highly competitive battle. Graceland jumped out to a 3-2 lead after a service ace by Hernandez Cruz, but Clarke answered back with a string of kills by Watters and Haubert. Graceland's attack struggled to maintain momentum, and Clarke pulled ahead to seal the match with a 15-12 victory.
Head Coach Stew McDole expressed pride in his team's effort despite the loss, stating, "We have tools. We are tenacious, we always fight. Win, lose or draw, we are a good 'watch' and will always compete."
Graceland's defense showed notable improvement throughout the match, with standout performances from libero Jabour and outside hitter Crabtree, who combined for 25 digs. Hernandez Cruz and setter Hailey Kauweloa worked tirelessly to keep the offense flowing, but unforced errors ultimately hampered Graceland's efforts in the final set.
Statistical Leaders
- Brenna Crabtree led the Yellowjackets with 17 kills, while Grace Jensen added 14.
- Kariana Hernandez Cruz distributed 25 assists, and Shelby Jabour anchored the defense with 21 digs.
- Jenthe Van Kastel and Kylee Dixon contributed a combined 7 blocks, helping to stifle Clarke's attack in the third and fourth sets.
For Clarke, Maya Watters was the standout performer with 24 kills and 8 digs, while Rachel Haubert added 12 kills and 17 digs. Clarke also benefited from Kelsey NeCollins and Kaelyn Minich, who combined for 5 blocks to keep Graceland's offense in check during critical points of the match.
Next Match
The Yellowjackets will look to rebound when they host the Mount Mercy Mustangs on September 28, 2024, at the Morden Center. The match is set to begin at 10:30 a.m.