Mustangs split home opener against St. Ambrose, No. 5 Grand View

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – After splitting its first six games on the road, Morningside men's volleyball continued the trend on their home court, defeating St. Ambrose and falling to No. 5 Grand View inside the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center and Allee Gymnasium Friday afternoon.

The Mustangs defeated the Bees 25-17, 25-27, 25-20, 25-18 to start the day in historic fashion. Jacob DePauw set the program record for assists in a four set match with 53. Morningside hit .300 or better in the first, third, and fourth sets, but a .162 hitting percentage in the second set allowed St. Ambrose to seal a set. Morningside also had 13 or more kills in each set.

The Mustangs tallied 17 kills on 31 attacks in the opening set for a .452 percentage and a 25-17 win. Eight second set errors hurt the Mustangs in the loss, but 16 kills and a .306 percentage in set three, followed by 13 kills and a .300 percentage in set four sealed the victory.

Natan Alves tallied 22 kills and a .447 hitting percentage in the win. Kirby Schmalz added 14 kills and Isaiah Baynes 11. DePauw had 53 assists and five digs. Owen Anderson recorded 20 digs in the win, one shy of tying the record 21 set in 2018.

The Mustangs were swept in the second match of the day with No. 5 Grand View. The Vikings earned the win 25-19, 25-12, 25-19.

Grand View was consistent across the three sets, tallying 11 kills in each set. The Mustangs struggled in comparison to the first match of the day, totaling 19 kills across the three sets.

Natan Alves recorded nine kills and six digs, both good for best on the team. Tharen Cox recorded four block assists and Jacob DePauw added 16 assists.

Morningside is back in action Saturday morning against receiving votes Missouri Valley. The match is scheduled for a 10 a.m. start.