Historic performance leads to sweep of RV Tigers

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Mustangs had lost five in a row to the Tigers heading into Wednesday's Pink Out at home, but the Morningside offense tied a program record in a sweep over Receiving Votes Dakota Wesleyan.

The Mustangs won the match 26-24, 25-16, 25-23 in Allee Gymnasium. Morningside tallied 55 kills over three sets, tying the program record for kills in a three set match in the 25-point rally scoring era that was set in 2020 against Dakota Wesleyan. Sydney Marlow also set an individual program record with her 21 kills. That total is the most in the 25-point rally scoring era as the prior record was 19 kills by Gabi French, Addi Radke, and Marlow.

"Our mentality and trust was vastly different this time around," head coach Jessica Squier said about her team's win. "The team understood their roles and what we needed and expected of them.

The first set looked like it was going to go the Tigers way, as they held a 23-18 lead. The Mustangs scored eight of the final nine points of the set, including five kills, three from Claire Wilson, to win the set.

That momentum carried into the second set as Morningside scored seven points in a row to open up a 12-5 lead, and Morningside held on to win the set by nine points. Dakota Wesleyan made a comeback in the third set to take a 23-22 lead, but three kills, one by Nienke van Drunen and two by Marlow.

"Our team said no to losing and yes to winning," Squier added. "Their mindset shifted and we held our composure."

The Mustangs hit .275, .302, and .333 in each set. Dakota Wesleyan struggled against the Morningside defense, recording hitting percentages of .175, .044, and .278 in each set. In the nine-point second set victory, Dakota Wesleyan recorded eight errors to benefit the Mustang victory. In the third set alone, the Mustangs had 20 kills on 39 attacks.

Marlow led the team with 21 kills on 41 attacks and added 19 digs for a double-double. Claire WIlson added 15 kills. Payten Lode contributed a double-double of 10 kills and 11 digs. Aleksandra Dalach distributed the ball well, totaling 47 assists, which is the second most in program history during the 25-point rally scoring era. Dalach also had 11 digs. Payton Shoquist added 19 digs to her career total of over 1,500. Shoquist is the fifth player in program history to go over 1,500 digs. 

The Mustangs have two non-conference tilts Saturday inside Allee Gym. The Mustangs host Valley City State and Buena Vista at 1 and 5 p.m. The Beavers and Vikings face-off in between the two matches involving Morningside.