Mustangs make it four in a row with sweep of home triangular

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Morningside has its longest winning streak of the season after sweeping a pair of matches at home Saturday afternoon.

First up, the Mustangs swept receiving votes Valley City State 25-21, 25-17, 26-24. After tying a program record with 55 kills in a sweep of Dakota Wesleyan Wednesday, the Mustangs had 48 kills in the sweep of the Vikings Saturday.

Morningside had 18 kills in the first set and 19 kills in the third set, hitting above .275 in both sets. The difference in the match was the defense though, as Valley City State hit under their season average of .233 in each set. 

"Our serve was key in helping our defense and block against Valley City State," head coach Jessica Squier said. "I love seeing this continued adjustment from our team."

The Mustangs needed a strong finish to take the opening set, and they got it in the fashion of scoring seven of the final nine points to steal a 25-21 win. Sydney Marlow had three kills and an assisted block in that stretch of seven Mustang points.

Valley City State hit .100 with 10 kills against the tough Mustang defense in the second set as the Mustangs took a 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set came down to the wire, as Valley City State fought off one match point to even things at 24, but kills by Claire Wilson and Nienke van Drunen sealed the sweep.

"Valley City had a blocking strategy we hadn't seen all year," Squier shared. "It's always helpful to see what adjustments need to be made or what we can improve on."

Wilson was the leader in game one, totaling 16 kills on 34 attacks (.412 hitting percentage). Marlow and Payten Lode both recorded double-doubles. Marlow had 12 kills and 13 digs, while Lode had 11 kills and 11 digs. Aleksandra Dalach tallied 39 assists and nine digs. Payton Shoquist had a match-high 17 digs.

In match two, the Mustangs picked up a third straight sweep, defeating NCAA Division III Buena Vista 25-16, 25-17, 25-23. Much like in match one, the Mustangs picked up two set wins before clawing out the third set for the sweep.

The Mustangs had five or more kills than Buena Vista in each set, and had a higher hitting percentage in the first two sets. The Beavers hit .118 and .000 in the first two sets before a .267 percentage in the competitive third set. Morningside hit .316, .205, and .136 in each set.

Marlow had her second double-double of the day with 16 kills and 11 digs in the win over Buena Vista. Lode and Wilson had 10 kills each. Dalach totaled 44 assists and Shoquist 23 digs, both match-highs.

Morningside has four straight wins, and have three big conference matches remaining in the regular season. The Mustangs currently sit tied for sixth in the GPAC with Dakota Wesleyan at 6-7 in conference play. Morningside needs one win over its final three matches to seal a spot in the GPAC Tournament, as there is a three-way tie for eighth at 3-10, three games behind Morningside with three matches to play. 

"The players are taking a lot more ownership in prepping for practices and matches," Squier added. "Our overall mentality has changed (on this four-match winning streak)."

Morningside hits the road for a pair of matches this week, including a rematch with Jamestown Wednesday after the Jimmies took a thrilling five-set match in Allee Gym earlier this season.