Mustangs split second day in California

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Morningside split their doubleheader in Riverside, California Friday, sweeping La Sierra and falling to Saint Katherine.

The Mustangs swept the host team, La Sierra, 25-18, 25-15, 25-21 Friday afternoon.

The Mustangs hit .299 in the win, including hitting .393 in the opening set. Morningside was equally as strong defensively, holding La Sierra to a .058 hitting percentage, forcing 21 errors to 27 kills. 

Morningside led 19-12 in the opening set and sealed the opening set win with a kill from Gillian DePauw, who went 9-for-9 on attacks in the match.

The second set was closer than the first early on, as La Sierra trailed by three, 18-15. After a service error from La Sierra to make it 19-15, Morningside rattled off six consecutive points, four of which came on errors, to win the second set by 10.

Early in the third set, Morningside created separation with six straight points to lead 12-3. La Sierra didn't go away easily, as they were able to get within three, 24-21, late in the third. Sydney Marlow, who had a game high 15 kills, sealed the win with a kill.

To go with her nine kills, DePauw tallied 20 assists. Payton Shoquist and Payten Lode were double digits in digs, with 17 and 11 respectively. 

The Mustangs fell in straight sets to Saint Katherine to end their time in California. Saint Katherine won 25-17, 25-20, 25-15.

Claire Wilson tallied nine kills to pace the Mustangs. Lode added eight kills and nine digs. Shoquist and Marlow added nine digs each. DePauw racked up 27 assists in the match.

Morningside returns to Allee Gym Wednesday night to face Dakota State at 7 p.m.