Graceland Drops Doubleheader, Eyes Home Opener with Focus on Growth

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Graceland University men's volleyball team continued early-season action on Friday with a doubleheader at the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy, falling in straight sets to both Brescia University and No. 7-ranked Campbellsville University (KY). The Yellowjackets drop to 0-7 overall (0-0 Heart of America Athletic Conference) as the program continues building with a promising, youthful roster.

Match One: Brescia 3, Graceland 0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-23)
Graceland opened the day with a competitive showing against Brescia (3-2), holding late leads in both the first and third sets. The Yellowjackets finished with a team hitting percentage of .124, highlighted by Kaden Joseph's 10 kills on 28 swings. He was joined offensively by Nick English with six kills and Jackson House, who added five.

The Yellowjackets totaled 10 block assists, with Aona and House leading a solid presence at the net. Luis Garcia and Andrew Cziep shared setting duties, combining for 27 assists, while Jerze Simonson turned in an efficient .500 hitting percentage with three kills on four attempts. Graceland produced its highest set hitting percentage (.194) in the opening frame, but Brescia closed that set on a 6-2 run to seize early momentum.

Match Two: No. 9 Campbellsville 3, Graceland 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-13)
In the afternoon contest, Graceland faced one of the NAIA's top teams in Campbellsville (5-0). The Yellowjackets were held to .052 team hitting, while the Tigers used nine service aces and eight total blocks to control the match from start to finish.

Kaden Joseph once again led Graceland in kills with six, while Jackson House recorded five and Andrew Youssef added three. Jerze Simonson contributed two kills and a solo block, and Benjamin Gorton-Hülgerth entered off the bench with a kill and two digs in limited action. Graceland's passing was tested throughout, yielding 10 service reception errors against Campbellsville's aggressive serving unit.

Despite the results, the match offered the young Yellowjackets meaningful reps against a high-level opponent. Graceland's rotation included 11 student-athletes, many of whom are underclassmen continuing to grow in match tempo and positional execution.

Graceland remains in search of its first win of the 2026 season, but the energy and work ethic inside the gym have been evident. With a roster filled with first- and second-year players, the Yellowjackets are committed to daily improvement through focused training sessions, video analysis, and individual skill work.

Graceland will open its home schedule on Friday, Feb. 6, welcoming Southwest Baptist to the Morden Center in Lamoni. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CST. The Yellowjackets will look to use their home-court energy to spark momentum as the nonconference slate continues.

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