Graceland Men’s Volleyball Drops Conference Match at Ottawa

OTTAWA, Kan. – The Graceland University men's volleyball team dropped a Heart of America Athletic Conference match on Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets to Ottawa University, 25-10, 25-20, 25-21, at the Mabee Center.

With the loss, Graceland moves to 2-17 overall and 0-12 in HAAC play, while Ottawa improves to 11-10 overall and 6-8 in the conference.

After a slow start in the opening frame, the Yellowjackets responded with more consistent offensive production in sets two and three. Graceland hit .238 in the second set and .355 in the third, finishing the match with 27 kills and a .225 team hitting percentage.

Elijah Kline led the Yellowjackets with 10 kills on 24 attempts, while Kalanikapu Aona contributed six kills and a team-best .750 hitting percentage. Andrew Cziep added five kills and hit .238. Christopher Sawyer handled the setting duties, recording 24 assists along with two digs.

At the net, Chase VanDellen anchored the defense with one solo block and six block assists, helping Graceland register 14 assisted blocks as a team.

Despite those improvements, Ottawa maintained control behind an efficient attack, hitting .390 as a team. Marko Zolnjan led all players with 16 kills on 27 swings (.481), while Macort Pickup and Tim Schutzbach added 12 and 7 kills, respectively. Marton Zarka directed the Braves' offense with 22 assists and chipped in four digs.

"This season is about laying the foundation of our program and improving everytime we step between the lines - whether practice or competition," said Graceland head coach Eric Majors. "There were stretches today where we executed our system well, and that's a step in the right direction."

The Yellowjackets hit just .000 in the opening set, but found better offensive flow in the final two. They recorded nine kills in the second set and 14 in the third, with contributions from multiple hitters across the front row.

Up next, Graceland returns home to host Culver-Stockton College on Tuesday evening, March 25, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Morden Center.

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