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GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Graceland Falls in Straight Sets to Peru State in Heart Matchup

Graceland Falls in Straight Sets to Peru State in Heart Matchup

Box Score
Game Leaders
Peru State
K: Eden Moore - 7
B: 2 Players (#08, #14) - 5
D: Braelyn Braithwaite - 15
SA: Teodora Bulatovic - 2
Graceland
K: Ella Thomas - 7
B: Kaylee Baker - 3
D: 2 Players (#4, #12) - 10
SA: 2 Players (#16, #17) - 1
Team Stats
Full stats

LAMONI, Iowa —Graceland University women's volleyball dropped a three-set Heart of America Athletic Conference match to Peru State College on Thursday night at the Morden Center. The Yellowjackets fell by scores of 16-25, 18-25, 15-25, moving to 5-16 overall and 1-9 in Heart play, while the Bobcats improved to 9-12 overall and 2-6 in conference competition.

Peru State executed a balanced offense and an effective serve-pass strategy that put Graceland on its heels for most of the match. The Yellowjackets were held to a -.071 hitting percentage, committing 31 attack errors on 98 attempts, while Peru State hit .106 and posted six service aces to Graceland's two.

Graceland head coach Stew McDole acknowledged the opponent's strength at the net and in transition.

"Peru has good size. You must contend with them at the net. That was a challenge we didn't meet," McDole said. "Their serve/pass game was better than I expected. Given our strengths we need to win that part of the game, but they bested us there as well. We must play well in all sectors of the game. That has been and will be the goal."

SET 1: Peru State 25, Graceland 16

Graceland opened the first set with a brief 3-1 lead, but errors quickly shifted momentum. The Yellowjackets committed nine attack errors, with Peru's Eden Moore capitalizing on free ball opportunities to finish with seven kills in the match.

Graceland managed eight kills in the set, led by senior Ella Thomas (Norman, Okla.), but the team's -.030 hitting percentage allowed Peru State to control the tempo. A late 6-1 run closed out the set for the Bobcats.

SET 2: Peru State 25, Graceland 18

Set two featured several adjustments from Graceland, including increased rotation usage from sophomore Kariana Hernandez Cruz (Vega Alta, Puerto Rico) and a brief appearance by sophomore Jenthe Van Kastel (Woudrichem, Netherlands), who posted a perfect kill on her only swing.

Despite the offensive spark, Graceland still totaled 12 attack errors, with multiple attempts stopped by Peru's frontline defenders, including Addison Schneider and Eden Moore, who combined for nine block assists. Graceland briefly cut the deficit to 14-10 after a service ace from Hernandez Cruz, but the Bobcats finished the set on an 11-8 run.

SET 3: Peru State 25, Graceland 15

The third frame was the most difficult for Graceland, which hit -.138 and allowed Peru to take early control. The Yellowjackets' serve receive faltered, resulting in nine reception errors across the match, including back-to-back aces by Peru's Teodora Bulatovic in set one and Sami Chesley in set three.

Thomas and senior Grace Jensen (Rosemount, Minn.) led with seven and four kills, respectively, while Kylee Dixon (Lawson, Mo.) added four on a .250 hitting percentage. However, the offense never found consistency, with six different attackers finishing below .000.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

  • Ella Thomas posted seven kills on 22 attempts, leading Graceland in total points with 7.5.

  • Kylee Dixon added four kills and hit .250, while Jensen tallied four kills, 10 digs, and one block assist.

  • Hernandez Cruz contributed eight assists, a service ace, and five digs.

  • Shaeniah La Fountain (Waipahu, Hawaii) and Jensen each collected 10 digs, sharing the team lead in back row coverage.

  • Graceland totaled 24 assists, 38 digs, and six total team blocks.

TEAM STATISTICS

  • Graceland Attack: 24 kills, 31 errors, 98 attempts, -.071 hitting percentage

  • Peru State Attack: 26 kills, 17 errors, 85 attempts, .106 hitting percentage

  • Graceland Service: 2 aces, 9 service errors

  • Peru State Service: 6 aces, 2 service errors

  • Graceland Blocks: 6 block assists, 1 solo

  • Peru State Blocks: 16 block assists, 1 solo

ROSTER NOTES

Graceland's match featured a starting lineup of Thomas, Jensen, Dixon, Baker, Bratlie, and Sander, with contributions from La Fountain, Heinzmann, Hernandez Cruz, Young, Caresia, and Van Kastel.

Notable performances came from:

  • Allison Sander (Papillion, Neb.) who recorded 10 assists and six digs

  • Kaylee Baker (New Hampton, Iowa) with two kills and three total blocks

  • Kaci Young (Centennial, Colo.) with three kills and two reception errors under increased back row pressure

UP NEXT

Graceland travels to Des Moines, Iowa for a Heart conference road match against Grand View University on Tuesday, October 7. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 PM CDT at the Charles S. Johnson Wellness Center.

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