GPAC women's volleyball opener goes to Northwestern

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – There was a good crowd on hand for Morningside's women's volleyball home opener, as the Mustangs welcomed the Raiders of Northwestern College to Allee Gym for both teams' first game of the Great Plains Athletic Conference season. The no. 8 Raiders lived up to their billing, sweeping Morningside 3-0 with scores of 25-10, 25-13, and 25-16.

In the games leading up to tonight's match, Northwestern's defense had a distinct advantage in its block. It was an advantage that Morningside witnessed firsthand, as the Raiders put seven blocks on the board, compared to Morningside's one team block on the night. 

"Northwestern was averaging nearly 3 aces per set coming into the match," explained head coach Jessica Squier. She continued, "With aggressive serving like that, the block can read the resulting offense and set up easily."

The Raiders recorded seven aces in the match, keeping Morningside's passers guessing.

The Mustangs recorded just one service ace on the night, as Gillian DePauw's opening serve gave Morningside a short lived 1-0 lead. 

Hindered by Northwestern's defense, Morningside recorded just 24 kills on the night, led by Payten Lode, with six. Sydney Marlow followed, with five kills, and Nienke van Drunen had four. Emerson Smith hit a team-high .500, recording two kills in four attempts.

Bridget Smith was the team leader on defense, recording 11 digs across the three sets, one of which she spent in the libero jersey. Marlow followed with seven, while Emerson Smith and Payton Shoquist each tallied six.

The Mustangs hope to bounce back in this weekend's College of Saint Mary United Tournament, played in North Sioux City, S.D. Morningside will play York  and Mayville State on Friday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively. Saturday's matches include Saint Francis at 1 p.m. and Viterbo at 5 p.m.