Mustangs open GPAC play with win over Dordt

SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Morningside women's volleyball team got the Great Plains Athletic Conference schedule started right, defeating Dordt 22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 15-9.

The Mustangs fell behind early in set one, but rallied to get within a point 21-20. With Dordt leading 23-22, the Defenders scored the final two points of the set to take the first. 

The Mustangs went out to make a statement in sets two and three, taking control early on and closing the door with confidence. In the second set, Dordt was within three at 20-17, but the Mustangs finished the set with a kill from Sydney Marlow. 

In the third set, Morningside led by as much as 11 in a decision win. The Mustangs were set up to win their season opening conference match heading into the fourth set. Dordt led the set 19-15, but Morningside tied things up at 20. After Dordt and Morningside traded points, the Defenders rattled off four straight points to steal the set and force a fifth and final set.

After hitting -.028 in the first set, the Mustangs rebounded to hit above .150 in the next three sets, including a .256 hitting percentage in the fourth set. Dordt hit over .200 in the first and fourth sets, but struggled in the middle two, hitting .050 and -.065 in the second and third respectively.

The Mustangs saved their best for last, as they had nine kills in 22 attacks in the fifth set, hitting .273. They started out scoring the first four points of the set and never looked back. A Victoria Bouska kill sealed the win. 

Three Mustangs got to double digits in kills. Marlow led the way with 13 kills, followed by Payten Lode and Claire Wilson with 11. Aleksandra Dalach recorded 29 assists and 18 digs in the win. Payton Shoquist tallied 21 digs and Aureana Bernales 13.

Morningside stays in the metro this weekend, playing in the United Sports Academy Labor Day Classic. The Mustangs play Saint Francis (Ind.) and Bethel (Kan.) Friday night and face Viterbo and Indiana East Saturday.