Mustangs complete comeback for five set win over Dakota State

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Much like last week's season opening win, Morningside fell behind 2-0 against Dakota State Wednesday night, only to rally for a 22-25, 27-29, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11 victory.

Dakota State held an 18-13 lead in set one, but a late rally from the Mustangs made things interesting. Morningside was within two at 18-16, and was within a point of tying twice in the homestretch of the set. After a Claire Wilson kill made it 23-22, the Trojans scored the final two points to take the set.

The second set was much like the ending to the first, as neither side led by more than three points. The two sides traded set points until Dakota State was able to prevail 29-27 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Morningside came out with a new fire in the third set, taking a commanding 18-12 lead, and after a three point Dakota State rally, ran away with the set by scoring the final seven points to win the set 25-15. 

Much like the fourth set, Morningside created separation by going on an eight-point scoring run to lead 15-8. The lead grew to nine points on back-to-back kills from Claire Wilson and Sydney Marlow and Morningside was up 20-11. 

Late life from Dakota State made it 23-16 and Morningside called timeout. The two sides traded points to end the set 25-18. 

Morningside took a 5-2 lead early in set five with all five points coming off of kills, two by Payten Lode. Four straight by the Trojans gave Dakota State the lead, and the two sides traded blows from there. At the side switch, Morningside led 8-6.

Dakota State scored two straight following the switch to even the set at eight. The Mustangs created a lead by scoring four of the next five points with kills from Katherine Miller, Wilson, and Lode. Lode led the match with 23 kills, and had enough for one last swing to get a kill and seal the victory. The Mustangs saved their best for last, hitting .385 in the final set and scored 11 of their 15 points on kills. 

Marlow added 15 kills and Wilson 14 for Morningside in the win. Gillian DePauw added 33 assists and Aleksandra Dalach 11. Payton Shoquist, who recently eclipsed 1,000 career digs, added 32 to that total Wednesday night. Marlow had 23 digs, DePauw 18, and Lode 14.

Morningside is back in action Friday against Park (Mo.) at 6 p.m.