Mustangs collect Senior Day win over Hastings

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Morningside Volleyball continued Saturday's Senior Day activities, honoring the program's pair of seniors, Sabrina Creason and Lindi Pojar in a pregame ceremony.  Following the ceremony, the Mustangs butted heads with the Broncos from Hastings College, eventually walking away with a five-set win, 21-25, 25-19, 28-26, 16-25, and 15-9.

"I'm glad to break our streak with a win on senior night," remarked head coach Jessica Squier.   "The two seniors have stuck with us and continued to build our culture in the direction we are striving. Both girls are tremendous teammates, and they're very much appreciated by the coaching staff. "

Morningside's set two victory came after the Mustangs' set one comeback attempt fell short.  A string of seven serves by Sydney Marlow gave the Mustangs a seven-point cushion that Hastings would not be able to overcome.  It was also in set two that Creason, who has been dishing the ball for Morningside since her freshman year, crossed the 2,000 assist horizon for her career.

The Mustangs came alive again in set five, after falling behind early in set four.  With the score tied 7-7, Morningside, with the steady service of Creason, went on a seven point run.  Hastings snuck in two more points before a kill by Ryley Rolls and a block by Meredith Hoffman and Emerson Smith closed out the match.

Claire Wilson was Morningside's most effective attacker, working for 15 kills while hitting at a .406 percentage.  Emerson Smith followed, with 13 kills, Marlow had 12, and Hoffman had 11.  The team totaled 61 kills in the match, to Hastings 64.

"We tried running this rotation a few times early in the season," explained Squier.  "Claire having experience in the middle makes her a very versatile rightside attacker. She stepped up today."

Creason, who is eighth on Morningside's all-time assists list with 2,026 career assists, tallied 32 in the match.  Bridget Smith, the second half of the Mustangs setting duo, had 18.

"Bridget and Sabrina took control most of the time today with what the plays were, which made me pretty proud," said Squier

The Mustangs, defensively, tallied 84 digs and six blocks in the set.  Payton Shoquist led the way with 34 digs, followed by Marlow with 13 and Creason with nine.  Hoffman and Marlow accounted for the team's two solo blocks.  Hoffman also had three block assists and Rolls had two.

"We have been really increasing our intensity in practice and urgency," described Squier.  "Payton, tonight, was the calmest I've seen her this year and it paid off for her. It's a big stride for her."

Morningside will wrap the season on Tuesday at no. 14 Northwestern, with a 6 p.m. JV match followed by varsity, scheduled for 7:30 p.m.