Morningside falls in road series finale

CRETE, NEB. – The Mustangs continued their season on the road today, visiting Doane University and its Tigers.  Doane handled the Mustangs' upset bid, defeating Morningside in straight sets, 25-22, 25-12, and 25-22.

The Mustangs started quickly, working to an 11-6 lead in set one before the Tigers closed the gap, tying the score at 18-18.  The teams exchanged points until they reached 20, when Doane pulled ahead in the set for good.

It was Doane that jumped to an early lead in set two, launching into a 10 point streak with the Mustangs stalled with five points.  A few points later, a string of kills from sophomore Meredith Hoffman, and freshmen Sydney Marlow, Bridget Smith, and Claire Wilson moved the visitors into double digits on the scoreboard.  Doane would take four of the next five points to close out the set.

Set three saw the two teams locked in a stalemate, with either team answering any attempt from the other to get out ahead.  Morningside's last lead was 18-17, fighting back to tie the set 19-19, with Doane sending the Mustangs packing, scoring three of the last five points of the match.

Morningside's offensive attack was led by Marlow, who terminated 11 rallies.  Hoffman followed with nine, and Emerson Smith had eight.  Sabrina Creason tallied 30 of the Mustangs' 32 assists in the match.

Payton Shoquist was back on top in the digs column, recording 19 across the three sets.  Marlow was on her heels with 18, and Creason had 13.  Marlow had the Mustangs' lone solo block and combined it with a block assist to co-lead the Mustangs with two total blocks.  Emma Schall had two block assists to share the top spot for the visitors.  

Morningside returns to Rosen-Verdoorn Sports Center for a series of two of its last three home games for the season, facing Midland on Oct. 15 and Concordia on Oct. 16.  Friday's match with Midland is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start, following the 6 p.m. JV match.