Graceland Volleyball Overcomes Culver-Stockton in Five-Set Thriller

Lamoni, Iowa – Graceland University's volleyball team secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Culver-Stockton College in a marathon five-set match on Tuesday night at the Morden Center. The Yellowjackets delivered a clutch performance, overcoming the Wildcats 25-20, 22-25, 23-25, 28-26, and 15-12 to improve their overall record to 3-21 (2-13 in conference play). The win marks Graceland's second Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) victory of the season.

Graceland's offensive attack was spearheaded by outside hitter Brenna Crabtree, who posted a match-high 25 kills while hitting .295. Setter Hailey Kauweloa provided 30 assists, ensuring a balanced offensive effort throughout the match. Grace Jensen added 16 kills and played a pivotal role in the fourth and fifth sets, helping Graceland rally from behind to force and win the decisive frame.

Graceland opened the match with a strong showing, taking the first set 25-20. The Yellowjackets capitalized on early errors from Culver-Stockton and applied consistent pressure through their serves. Sera Tofi contributed two key service aces in the set, while Crabtree and Jensen found their rhythm on the attack. Graceland's defense, led by libero Shelby Jabour with 29 digs, also kept Culver-Stockton at bay.

Culver-Stockton battled back to claim the second and third sets, 25-22 and 25-23, respectively. The Wildcats, led by outside hitter Ashleigh Brawley's 14 kills on a .355 hitting percentage, gained momentum as Graceland struggled with unforced errors. Despite Crabtree's steady offensive contributions, the Yellowjackets were unable to close out critical points in the final moments of both sets.

Facing elimination in the fourth set, the Yellowjackets dug deep and prevailed 28-26 in a dramatic, back-and-forth affair. Graceland's blocking unit, led by middle blockers Ella Thomas and Jethe Van Kastel, proved crucial, with each contributing to multiple key blocks late in the set. The Yellowjackets' persistence was rewarded as they fended off multiple set points and capitalized on Culver-Stockton's attack errors to extend the match.

The decisive fifth set saw Graceland execute at a high level, hitting .400 as a team and recording 13 kills. Crabtree once again led the offense, while Kaci Young delivered critical kills down the stretch, finishing with 16 total on a .324 hitting percentage. Kauweloa's timely sets and Graceland's improved serving provided the edge as the Yellowjackets closed out the set 15-12. Graceland's defense held firm in the final points, highlighted by Jabour's stellar passing and digs to thwart Culver-Stockton's late rally attempts.

Head Coach Stew McDole was thrilled with his team's consistent play and resilience. "This was a clean match for us tonight. We played a consistent five sets with solid execution throughout. The win was just the frosting on the cake," McDole said.

• Brenna Crabtree led all players with 25 kills and added two blocks.
• Grace Jensen contributed 16 kills and one block assist, playing a pivotal role in key moments.
• Hailey Kauweloa dished out 30 assists and was instrumental in maintaining offensive flow.
• Libero Shelby Jabour anchored the defense with 29 digs.
• Graceland recorded eight total service aces, with Tofi and Sierra Kauweloa each accounting for multiple aces.

Culver-Stockton's offensive leaders included Brawley, who posted 14 kills, and Abby Godwin, who chipped in 12 kills on a .267 hitting percentage. However, Graceland's ability to limit the Wildcats to a .192 overall hitting percentage and produce timely blocks allowed the Yellowjackets to come out on top.

Graceland will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming non-conference matches. The Yellowjackets travel to Lawrence, Kansas, this Friday, where they will face Southwestern (KS) at 5 p.m. and Haskell (KS) at 7 p.m. at the Tony Coffin Sports Complex.

For more information on the women's volleyball team and all of Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.