Graceland Women’s Volleyball Defeats Mount Mercy on Senior Day in Four Sets
LAMONI, Iowa – The Graceland University women's volleyball team earned a hard-fought 3-1 conference victory over Mount Mercy University on Saturday afternoon at the Rasmussen Sports Complex. The Yellowjackets executed a solid match plan, highlighted by effective serving and consistent blocking, to come away with a win on Senior Day.
Graceland won the match by set scores of 25-22, 25-22, 11-25, and 25-19, improving its record to 6-19 overall and 2-12 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). Mount Mercy fell to 11-10 overall and 6-8 in conference play.
The Yellowjackets posted 41 total kills and hit .106 on the afternoon, while limiting Mount Mercy to a .122 hitting percentage. Graceland's defense tallied 60 digs and 32 total block assists, significantly disrupting Mount Mercy's offensive rhythm.
Senior outside hitter Kaci Young led the Yellowjackets with 12 kills, hitting .132 on 38 attempts. She added 12.5 points, including a match-clinching kill in the fourth set. Grace Jensen contributed 8 kills and 3 service aces, and Kaylee Baker recorded 7 kills with 11 block assists, playing a pivotal role at the net.
Setter Allison Sander dished out 27 assists and recorded 4 service aces, while also contributing 12 digs. Shaeniah La Fountain anchored the back row with 21 digs and one service ace. Middle blocker Evie Caresia was a force defensively, finishing with 8 block assists.
Mount Mercy was led by Hallie Bedier and Mary Kate Bendlage, each finishing with 14 kills, but Graceland's front row defense stifled their efficiency, holding the team to a low percentage in crucial moments.
After taking the first two sets with timely runs and consistent execution, the Yellowjackets struggled in the third, falling 11-25. However, they responded in the fourth set by hitting a match-best .265 and capitalizing on Mount Mercy's offensive errors. Graceland maintained pressure through service aces and key blocks to close out the match in four.
Head Coach Stew McDole reflected on the win with pride:
"Senior day is already an emotional day. With parents, siblings, grandparents and friends all clustered in anticipation. We have been playing well against good teams. We need to serve well to compete. Today we served well. We need to block well to compete. Today we blocked and defended well. We came away with a W and we are grateful."
The win marks Graceland's second Heart conference victory of the season, as the team continues to build momentum heading into the final stretch of the schedule.
Up Next:
The Yellowjackets will return to action on Friday, October 24, as they travel to face Mount Mercy University in a rematch. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT at the Hennessey Recreation Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
For more information on Graceland women's volleyball and all of Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.