Yellowjackets Sweep Kansas Wesleyan for Second Win of Season
LAMONI, Iowa — The Graceland University men's volleyball team earned its second victory of the season Friday night, defeating Kansas Wesleyan University, 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22) in conference play at the Closson Center. The Yellowjackets delivered efficient attacking and balanced offensive production to secure the straight-set win.
With the victory, Graceland improved to 2-16 overall and 1-7 in conference competition, while Kansas Wesleyan dropped to 4-8 overall and 1-8 in conference play.
Graceland posted a strong offensive performance, recording 39 kills with a .406 team hitting percentage, including efficient attack percentages across all three sets. The Yellowjackets registered 15 kills on a .542 hitting percentage in the opening set, followed by 10 kills in the second frame and 14 kills in the third set to complete the sweep.
The Yellowjackets established momentum early in the first set with consistent terminal swings and effective side-out offense. Sophomore outside hitter Nick English led the attack, recording multiple kills during the early rotation to push Graceland ahead. The Yellowjackets maintained offensive efficiency behind setter Nairod Fonseca, who directed the offense with multiple assist sequences to both pins and the middle.
Graceland closed the first set on a late run behind kills from Kaden Joseph and English, sealing the 25-21 set victory.
In the second set, the Yellowjackets increased pressure at the service line and continued to control offensive tempo. Opposite hitter Hawk Richard delivered several key kills, while middle blocker Jerze Simonson contributed both offensively and at the net with block assists. Graceland maintained a steady lead throughout the set, ultimately securing a 25-16 win after forcing multiple Kansas Wesleyan attack errors.
The third set remained competitive early before the Yellowjackets regained control through efficient transition offense. Kills from Kalanikapu Aona, Joseph and English helped Graceland extend its lead late in the set, while Andrew Cziep added a service ace during the closing stretch to maintain momentum.
Graceland sealed the match with a final kill from Andrew Cziep, completing the straight-set victory at 25-22.
Nick English paced the Yellowjackets with 11 kills on a .444 hitting percentage, while Kaden Joseph recorded eight kills with a .571 attack percentage.
Hawk Richard added seven kills and two service aces, while Kalanikapu Aona finished with five kills on a team-best .667 hitting percentage.
In the middle, Jerze Simonson contributed three kills and three total blocks, helping anchor Graceland's defensive presence at the net.
The Yellowjackets also received strong playmaking from Nairod Fonseca and Luis Garcia, who combined for 35 assists in orchestrating the offensive attack.
Kansas Wesleyan was led offensively by Conor Williams, who recorded 17 kills and a .615 hitting percentage, while Kaleb Cui added six kills and a service ace.
Head coach Eric Majors credited the team's offensive execution and energy for the victory.
"This was an important step for our group. We were efficient offensively, we managed the ball well in transition and our guys stayed disciplined in our system," Majors said. "Getting our second win of the season is a big confidence boost, and we're continuing to build momentum as we move deeper into conference play."
Graceland will return to conference action on Friday, March 13, traveling to face Clarke University. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. CDT at the Kehl Center in Dubuque, Iowa.
For more information on Graceland men's volleyball and all Yellowjacket athletics, visit GUjackets.com.