Mustangs take down cross-town rivals

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Morningside earned a 20-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-22 win over Briar Cliff to start GPAC play 2-0.

Both teams entered Tuesday's match off .500 or better weekends in the Labor Day Classic, and were looking to carry that momentum in the cross-town battle. Neither team had a negative hitting percentage in a set Tuesday.

The Chargers scored 15 of their 25 points off kills in the opening set, opening a 15-11 lead early on. A four-point run from the Mustangs, capped by a kill from Payten Lode, tied the set at 17. A four-point run from Briar Cliff won the set after Morningside got back within one at 21-20.

The Chargers started strong in the second and third sets, holding quick 5-1 and 5-2 leads respectively. The Mustangs were able to respond in both sets. In the second set, the Mustangs scored five out of six points to open a 12-9 lead and never lost the lead in the set.

In the third set, the two sides traded the lead until a four-point rally gave the Mustangs a 19-15 lead. The Chargers were unable to mount a comeback in the set. 

The Chargers opened up a 15-9 lead in the fourth set, looking to even the match and force a fifth. The Mustangs scored six straight points to tie the set at 15, and the two teams traded points to keep things tied at 18. Three straight put the Mustangs up 20-18, and a block from Claire Wilson and Adelyn Harris sealed the win for Morningside.

Lode tallied 19 kills to pace Morningside. Sydney Marlow added 13 kills and Claire Wilson 12. Aleksandra Dalach tallied 47 assists to run the offense. Payton Shoquist led Morningside with 19 digs. Dalach added 18 digs, followed by Marlow and Wilson with 12 each. Lode contributed 10 digs as well.

For the first time since 2009, the Mustangs are 2-0 in conference play. The Mustangs will look to go 3-0 when they host Jamestown Saturday afternoon in Allee Gymnasium.