Morningside splits home triangular

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Mustangs dropped a five-set match with Jamestown, but bounced back with a sweep of Avila in a home triangular Saturday at Allee Gymnasium inside the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center.

Morningside gave Jamestown everything it could handle, but couldn't come away with the win as the Jimmies picked up a 27-29, 25-21, 14-25, 25-20, 15-7 win.

The Jimmies and Mustangs went swing-for-swing in the first set as the largest lead of the set was three points and there were five set point opportunities. Jamestown had the first four chances to take the set, but a Payten Lode kill tied things at 27, and Morningside went back to her again to take a 28-27 lead. A block by Nienke van Drunen and Payten Lode sealed the set win for Morningside.

The second set became one of runs, as the Mustangs opened up an 11-7 win before the Jimmies scored eight straight to take a 15-11 lead. Morningside scored five of the next seven to get back within one, and after Jamestown opened up a second four-point lead, a 3-0 run from Morningside made it 21-20 Jimmies.

Jamestown was able to score four of the last five points in the set to even the match.

The crowd came alive in the third set with the match tied at one. Morningside jumped out early behind a vocal crowd, taking an 11-5 lead. The two sides traded points until the set was at 16-10 Mustangs. Morningside opened up a 19-10 lead from there and cruised to a 25-14 win.

Much like the opening set, the Mustangs and Jimmies traded leads early. With Jamestown leading 12-11, the Mustangs scored four straight to take a 15-12 lead. Seven of the next eight points were scored by Jamestown, who hit over .200 for the first time in the match in the fourth set.

The Jimmies shut the door again to close out the fourth set, as Morningside was trailing 21-20, but Jamestown scored the final four points. That momentum carried over into the fifth set, where Jamestown led 8-3 when the teams switched sides, and carried on to the win.

Morningside was stronger at the net defensively in the match, totalling 13 blocks to Jamestown's seven, but the Jimmies were able to hit at a higher percentage (.174-.144). 

Sydney Marlow led the Mustangs with 18 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. Lode and Aleksandra Dalach had double-doubles of their own, as Lode tallied 11 kills and 15 digs and Dalach 43 assists and 10 digs. In the back row, Payton Shoquist tallied 25 digs and Aureana Bernales 12. Claire Wilson added 14 kills for the offense.

The Mustangs cleaned up in their second match of the day, sweeping Avila 25-14, 25-15, 25-18.

The Mustangs held Avila to a negative hitting percentage in the first two sets, and hit .333 themselves in the third set to seal the win.

Lode had a double-double with 15 kills and 11 digs. Marlow added 11 kills and 15 digs in the win. Dalach contributed 27 assists and Shoquist 25 digs. 

The Mustangs are back in action Wednesday at Dakota Wesleyan.