SIOUX CITY, IOWA – Morningside Women's Volleyball scored a crucial win as the 2023 postseason tournament creeps closer, preventing the visiting Hastings Broncos from pulling even with the Mustangs in the no. 7 spot in the standings. While it wasn't an easy win, Morningside prevailed in five sets, 14-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-20, and 15-11, bettering its position in the Great Plains Athletic Conference standings.

"Our team knew what today's match meant in the standings, and I thought after set one our composure was held together by our core values," reflected head coach Jessica Squier. 

The Mustangs are no strangers to tough five-set matches this season, as eight of the team's 30 contests so far have gone to the deciding set. Morningside is 5-3 in those contests.

Defense was a key in the Mustangs' victory, as Morningside recorded 10 total blocks and 76 digs. Newcomers Victoria Bouska and Adelyn Harris led the way at the net, with five and four blocks, respectively. Sydney Marlow and Payten Lode each had two block assists.

"On defense we really tried to disrupt Hastings' rhythm," said Squier.

Payton Shoquist led all players in the digs column, picking up 29 digs to take her beyond the 1,500 dig mark for her career. Marlow came a distant second with 14 digs and Aleksandra Dalach had 11. Barbora Kozouskova had seven digs.

That's not to say that Morningside's offense was quiet in the match, as the Mustangs struck for 59 kills off of 53 assists and recorded seven aces.

"Aleksandra did a really good job of hitting our tempo," analyzed Squier. "She's been working really hard to make it work for us. She was key."

Dalach added 50 assists, a pair of aces, and a pair of kills to her stat line for the day. Claire Wilson hit a match-high .462 with 20 kills, while Marlow hit .350 with 20 kills and three aces. Lode wrapped up the double-digit efforts with 11 kills. Bouska hit .400 with three kills and one attack error in five attempts.

Morningside is back in Allee Gym on Wednesday, Oct. 18, when Dakota Wesleyan comes to town for a 6 p.m. JV and 7:30 p.m varsity match. The Mustangs will be donning pink in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.