Mustangs face top-10 competition

PARKVILLE, MO. – The Mustangs faced tough competition today, competing in Park University's men's volleyball triangular. Morningside opened the day against the host team, ranked no. 8 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics coaches' poll, followed by Georgetown, who is ranked no. 7.

The Mustangs' opener for the tourney resulted in a 25-16, 25-19, 25-16 straight sets victory for Park, as Morningside amassed 28 kills, 25 assists, and 16 digs. 

Natan Alves was the lead attacker for the Mustangs, finding the floor for nine kills. Dylan Hamil and Kahakai Kahoiwai followed with seven each. Jacob DePauw had 23 assists in the match. 

Hamil led the way in the digs column, with five. Alves and Owen Anderson followed with four each. 

Morningside played better against the seventh ranked team in the nation, still falling in straight sets, but doing so 25-14, 25-23, and 25-17, totalling 27 kills, 25 assists, 20 digs, and four team blocks.

Kahoiwai led the attack, with 10 kills, followed by Alves, with nine, and Hamil with six. DePauw totaled another 24 assists in the day's second contest.

Anderson led the crew in the digs column, with 10, while Kahoiwai and Alves were next in line with three each. 

Kahoiwai was also a defensive presence at the net, with two solo blocks. DePauw had a solo block, and Alves and Jesse Lowe combined for a block.

The Mustangs are back on the floor on Thursday, returning to Great Plains Athletic Conference play at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa at 7 p.m.