SIOUX CITY, IOWA – The Mustangs were hoping to get back into the wins column as they returned to Allee Gymnasium this week, welcoming Mount Marty to town for a non-conference contest. Morningside’s hopes came to fruition, but not without a challenge from the visiting Lancers, as the two teams took the match to four sets before the Mustangs emerged victorious, with sets of 25-23, 26-24, 18-25, and 25-18.
There was no shortage of excitement for fans of either team, with set one including lead changes, overcoming point deficits, and ties throughout, but it was Morningside that emerged victorious, sealing the deal on a kill from Sydney Marlow.
Set two was equally drama filled, with Morningside building a lead of as many as six points before Mount Marty played the role of spoiler for the Mustangs. Morningside had an opportunity to wrap the set as the two teams sat neck and neck, at 24 all, put in motion with a kill by Meredith Hoffman with a Lancer error serving as the final nail.
Mount Marty took control in the middle of set three, opening up a lead that the Mustangs could not recover from, and stifling any late comeback attempts by Morningside.
It was in set four that the Mustangs demonstrated how far they’ve come this year, putting set three behind them and coming back as strong, if not stronger, than they were at the beginning of the night. Morningside went on a nine-point run, starting down 17-15, to put some distance between the two teams on the scoreboard and all but seal the win. Emerson Smith would drive the final nail, collecting a kill to close out the set
“The girls are starting to feel more comfortable in their Morningside jerseys,” remarked coach Jessica Squier, explaining how her team’s defense made its contribution to the match seem almost effortless, both at the net and in the back row.
“They’re gaining more confidence as they continue to make the right reads.”
Morningside’s defense had 11 team blocks in their impressive showing on the night, tallying 20 block assists and one solo block. It also racked up 93 digs, with three players crossing the 20 dig mark.
Claire Wilson was the figurehead for the front row defense, leading the way with five block assists and the Mustangs’ lone solo block. Kenna Howard also had five block assists in the match. Marlow took the lead in the back row for the match, collecting 24 digs on the night. Payton Shoquist and Sabrina Creason followed with 22 and 21, respectively.
“We passed the best we have since we played Dordt earlier this year. This gives the setters more options and allows a lot of players to get kills,” commented Squier.
Options the setters definitely had, as Creason tallied 25 assists while Bridget Smith picked up 17, distributing the ball to Morningside’s attack for a team total of 50 kills.
Hoffman was the top attacker for Morningside, hammering 14 points in the match. Marlow and Emerson Smith each flanked her with 13, and Claire Wilson terminated nine, hitting a match-high .500 in the process. Morningside’s solo remaining kill came when Shoquist, just hoping to keep the ball in play, launched a free ball from well off the side of the court, skimming the net as it came down on Mount Marty’s side, catching the Lancer defense off guard.
“Building the confidence and trust in each other is what we have been working for with our players as they find their chemistry with each other,” explained Squier after seeing the team push through the night’s set three and rally to collect the win. “As coaches, tonight shows that we are doing the right things to keep them progressing as a group and we need to continually be confident in their development.”
Morningside now prepares for a Saturday match at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, N.D., scheduled for 7:30 p.m., following a 6 p.m. JV match. They’ll also travel to Valley City State University on Sunday, where varsity will play at 1:30 p.m.
