Yellowjackets Break Through with First Win of 2026 in Four-Set Victory Over Avila
LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University men's volleyball team delivered a decisive performance Thursday night at the Lamoni Morden Center, earning its first victory of the 2026 season with a 25-21, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22 win over Avila. The Yellowjackets improve to 1-13 overall and 0-4 in Heart of America Athletic Conference play, while Avila drops to 0-8 overall and 0-0 in conference competition .
Graceland controlled key phases of the match, finishing with 46 kills on 136 total attacks for a .140 hitting percentage, while holding Avila to a .073 clip . The Jackets added 43 assists, nine service aces and 18 total team blocks, establishing a consistent advantage in serve-and-block pressure .
Jackson House led all attackers with 15 kills, producing in high-volume swings and adding two service aces in a complete performance . At the net, Andrew Cziep anchored the block with one solo stop and eight block assists, while hitting .267 on 15 attempts .
Setter Nairod Fonseca orchestrated the offense with 37 assists, accelerating tempo and spreading distribution across both pins and the middle . Four Yellowjackets recorded six or more kills, reflecting improved sideout balance and transition efficiency.
Graceland seized early momentum in the opening set with structured blocking assignments and clean first-ball sideout execution. A late service run extended the lead before House closed the frame at 25-21 .
The Jackets elevated their level in the second set, opening with a 6-0 surge fueled by back-to-back service aces from Fonseca. Graceland limited Avila's in-system opportunities and converted in transition, taking a 25-19 decision to carry a two-set advantage .
After Avila claimed the third set, Graceland responded with composure in the fourth. The Yellowjackets hit .265 in the final frame, registering 13 kills against four errors while tightening block positioning on the right side . Critical late swings from Kalanikapu Aona and House sealed the four-set victory.
Defensively, Graceland recorded 52 digs and 19 total blocks (one solo, 18 assists), reinforcing a disciplined defensive system that limited extended Avila runs .
Head coach Eric Majors credited the team's progress and resilience.
"We've emphasized serve pressure, disciplined blocking assignments and quicker offensive tempo," Majors said. "Tonight we saw progress in all three areas. This group stayed composed after the third set and finished with confidence. That first win matters, and now we build from it."
With momentum on its side, Graceland now turns its focus back to Heart Conference play, traveling to Sioux City, Iowa, on Tuesday, Feb. 24, for a 7 p.m. CST road matchup against Morningside at the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center. The contest marks another key conference opportunity as the Yellowjackets continue to pursue improvement in league standings.
For more information on Graceland men's volleyball and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.