July 09, 2025
Local NewsState & National

SWCC volleyball’s season comes to close

By TYLER HETU

Cayla Maitlen hammers a ball through two Kirkwood defenders earlier this season. (CNA photo)

Southwestern’s volleyball season came to a close Wednesday night, ending the season with a four-game losing streak.

The Spartans end the season at 5-33 with an ICCAC conference record of 1-8.

SWCC was led in kills over the season by Cayla Maitlen with 203. Paige Oldenkamp had 155 kills and Riley Jewett 139 total.

Brooklyn Herr had 548 assists as a team leader. Breanna Ross, prior to a season-ending injury, posted 251 assists with 13 kills and 62 digs.

Kelcie Gaines was the leader in digs with 422. Maitlen was second in digs with 325 and Taylor Buxton was third with 297.

The Spartans were led by Maitlen and Brooke Halterman in kills against Marshalltown with five.

The Spartans took on Marshalltown Oct. 26 in Marshalltown, losing 3-0 (25-18, 27-25, 25-11).

Herr led in helpers against Marshalltown with 15 assists. Gaines had the most digs with 21 while Maitlen had 10.

Hanna Gray had four digs and Oldenkamp had four digs with three kills.

Later on that same day, the Spartans hit the court again to face William Penn JV. The Spartans battled in the first set, winning 25-14. It wasn’t enough to beat down William Penn as it rallied for a 25-21 win in the second set and then back-to-back set wins at 25-14 and 25-18.

The Spartans were led by Riley Jewett and Gray, posting nine kills each against William Penn. Halterman posted eight kills and Maitlen had six.

Herr led in assists with 36. She also had 14 digs. Maitlen had the team lead in digs with 23 and Taylor Buxton had 20 digs also.

The Spartans had four blocks, two coming from Halterman and one coming from Oldenkamp and Gray each.

The Spartans closed out the season Wednesday night, facing Southeastern in West Burlington. The Spartans were unable to end the season with a win, falling 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-9).

SWCC was in need of a win and an Iowa Lakes loss to qualify for the Region XI tournament. Because of the loss, Southwestern’s season came to a close Wednesday.

SWCC was led by Halterman with seven kills. Jewett posted six kills and 10 digs.

Herr had 17 assists and six digs. Cribb posted the high in digs with 16.