Mustangs trample Tigers, claim 3-0 GPAC victory

MCPHERSON, KAN. – The Great Plains Athletic Conference season continued on for Morningside's men's volleyball team, as the Mustangs traveled to McPherson, Kan. to play the Central Christian College Tigers. Morningside scored a decisive victory, sweeping the host team 3-0, with scores of 25-11, 25-8, and 25-11.

The Mustangs never trailed the Tigers, scoring first in each set on the strength of an efficient offense and aggressive serving. Morningside hit a school record-tying .426 in the match and recorded 19 service aces. The 19 ace effort sets a new school record, erasing the record 12 that last year's team set.

The Mustangs' attack was balanced, with no player reaching double-digit kills. Jacob DePauw moved the ball around, recording 23 assists, as he set up Dylan Hamil for a team-leading eight kills, Natan Alves and Tharen Cox for seven, and Kahakai Kahoiwai for five. 

From the serve line, DePauw had a team-high six aces, which ties Hamil's single-match record from last season. Alves followed with five service aces. Cox and Emilio DeWitt each had two.

The digs column essentially mirrored the kills, with no player running away from the pack. Owen Anderson led the way, with eight digs. He was followed by DePauw with five, Kahoiwai, with three, and Alves and Hamil with two each. Cox, Jesse Lowe, and Donavon Chandy each had one dig.

Cox and Kahoiwai led the way on defense up front, with three blocks each. Alves and Lowe each had two, on the way to the team total of 10.

Morningside is back in action tomorrow, playing Kansas Wesleyan in Salina, Kan. at 5 p.m.