Morningside splits day one of Park Invitational

PARKVILLE, MO. – It was a tale of two sets for Morningside yesterday at the Park University Pirate Invitational, as the Mustangs split the day's contests, falling to Mount Mercy for the second time this season, 25-22, 25-23, and 25-17, before flipping roles and sweeping Culver-Stockton, 25-18, 25-21, and 25-23.

To continue the Charles Dickens reference at this point would be a stretch, as Morningside showed improvement in its second bout with the 8-2 Mustangs, chipping away at their attack percentage and more effectively evading the Mount Mercy block.

Erik Krenz proved the gem of Morningside's offense in the set, following Isaiah Baynes' 10 kills with nine of his own, but hitting at a .533 kill percentage.  

Baynes had seven digs, matching reigning GPAC defensive player of the week, Owen Anderson, and a block assist.  Tharen Cox made his debut as a Mustang, leading the team with two blocks.

In Morningside's second match of the day, the Mustangs found a rhythm, setting new team records for kills and assists in a three-set match, with 46 and 42, respectively.

The Baynes brothers championed the offense, with Jacob collecting a record 18 kills at a .577 attack percentage and Isaiah following with 14 kills of his own.  Jacob DePauw tallied 41 assists, good for his own three-set record for the Mustangs.  

Isaiah Baynes came up big on the defensive side of the ball as well, collecting nine digs and two more block assists against Culver-Stockton.  Jacob Baynes had eight digs while Owen Anderson and Lucas Begliomini each had five.  Erik Krenz totaled six blocks, including a block assist, and two digs of his own.

Morningside's weekend at the Park tournament resumes today with a noon contest with Park and a 4 p.m. match against Missouri Valley.