Graceland Drops Four-Set Road Match at Park in Heart of America Action

PARKVILLE, Mo. — Graceland University women's volleyball fell in four sets to Park University Friday evening in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play, 25-9, 25-11, 23-25, 25-9. With the result, Graceland drops to 4-14 overall and 0-7 in conference play, while Park improves to 7-5 overall and 3-2 in the HAAC.

Graceland managed to take a tightly contested third set behind improved offensive execution and timely defense, but was ultimately overmatched by a Park squad that hit .221 as a team and posted 66.0 total points.

"Park was too much for us tonight," said Graceland head coach Stew McDole. "We had our moments and took a set. Consistent mental and physical execution is elusive. Every night is a new challenge."

Match Summary

Park opened the match with back-to-back dominant sets, holding Graceland to a negative hitting percentage in both (.172 and -.094, respectively). The Yellowjackets were limited to four kills in each of the first two frames, as Park's front line disrupted Graceland's attacking rhythm with 23 total blocks (3 solo, 20 assist).

Graceland responded in the third set, tallying 13 kills on 47 total attempts (.128) while capitalizing on Park errors to grind out a 25-23 win. Sophomore Kylee Dixon sparked the offense in the third with timely kills, finishing with five total kills on a .231 hitting percentage.

The Pirates, however, recovered in the fourth set, jumping out to a quick lead and never looking back. Park hit .294 in the final frame, while Graceland was again held to a negative percentage (.143).

Team Leaders – Graceland

• Grace Jensen led the team with 5 kills, 16 digs, and one service ace.

• Kaci Young added 6 kills, contributing offensively despite facing tough blocks at the net.

• Kariana Hernandez Cruz anchored the setting duties with 11 assists, while Allison Sander chipped in 12 assists and an ace.

• Shaeniah La Fountain led the team in digs with 19 and added a service ace.

Graceland totaled 33 kills on 143 attempts but committed 33 attack errors, resulting in a team hitting percentage of -.049. From the service line, the Jackets posted 3 aces but struggled with 11 service errors. Defensively, Graceland finished with 8 block assists.

Park Statistical Highlights

Park featured a balanced and efficient offensive attack led by Indi Zetic, who finished with a match-high 14 kills and a .229 attack percentage. Isadora Dias added 9 kills and hit .381, while Elisa Dalla Pozza was nearly unstoppable at the net with 6 kills on a .462 hitting clip, also contributing on defense with 1 solo and 5 block assists.

Setter Silvia Albani orchestrated the offense with 30 assists and added 13 digs and 1 service ace. Bailey Turner was a force from the line, producing 4 service aces, while libero Angelina Rodriguez anchored the back row with 15 digs.

As a team, Park hit .221 and outdug Graceland 70-58. They finished with 8 total aces and only 8 service errors, controlling tempo with consistent passing and serve-receive.

Set-by-Set Breakdown

• Set 1: Park 25, Graceland 9
  Graceland struggled early, hitting -.172 with only four kills. Park controlled the set with 11 kills and a .320 percentage.

• Set 2: Park 25, Graceland 11
  Park continued its dominance, while Graceland managed just 4 kills and committed 7 errors.

• Set 3: Graceland 25, Park 23
  The Yellowjackets responded with 13 kills and held off a late Park push to claim the set.

• Set 4: Park 25, Graceland 9
  Park closed out the match behind a strong .294 team hitting percentage and tough service pressure.

UP NEXT: Graceland will continue Heart of America play on Saturday (tomorrow), September 27, with a road match against MidAmerica Nazarene University. First serve is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. CDT at the Cook Center in Olathe, Kansas.

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