Mustangs fall in women's volleyball homecoming finale

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Morningside welcomed College of Saint Mary to Allee gym on Saturday, representing the final athletic contest of the homecoming weekend. The Mustangs put on a show, but were unable to come up with a win, dropping the match in straight sets to no. 18 CSM, 29-27, 25-22, and 25-20.

Morningside fought with the Flames throughout the match, but unable to close on a set, couldn't snuff the top-20 team's hopes.

The Mustangs, for the second time in two days, saw a huge effort from the defense, out-blocking their opponents with 10 team blocks. Nienke Van Drunen led the way with five blocks. Kylah Brewer, Gillian DePauw, and Claire Wilson each had three, while Sydney Marlow had a pair of solo blocks.

Aureana Bernales continued to build her lead in the digs column, recording 18 in the tree sets. Marlow followed with 14, while Payton Shoquist had 10.

Marlow led the way on offense, terminating 12 of Morningside's 32 kills. Payton Lode's seven followed. DePauw had 28 of the team's 31 assists in the match.

Morningside is back in action on Wednesday, playing at Northwestern College, who is ranked seventh in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, ahead of the next poll.