Morningside lands four players on all-conference list

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Four Morningside volleyball players have earned all-conference honors, including Sydney Marlow on first team and Aleksandra Dalach on second team, announced by the GPAC Tuesday morning.

Marlow, a junior from Burlington, Iowa, earned first team all-conference honors. She surpassed 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs this season. This season alone, Marlow totaled 418 kills and 351 digs.

"Syd is a go-getter and I'm happy for her to receive first team (honors)," head coach Jessica Squier said. "She excels for us in tight situations and leads with a purpose."

Dalach is a freshman from Opacz-Kolonia, Poland and she stepped into the starting setter role this season and excelled. She eclipsed 1,000 career assists in one season, totaling 1,004 in 30 matches. Dalach added 228 digs and 60 kills to her season totals.

"Stepping up to being a 5-1 setter as a freshman in a different country, in one of the toughest conferences in the NAIA is bold," Squier said of the Mustangs setter. "I'm glad to see that she earned respect with a second team honor."

Two Morningsiders earned honorable mentions in the all-conference awards list. Senior Payton Shoquist is a defensive specialist from Mansfield, Texas. Shoquist racked up 627 digs in the back row this season and became the Mustangs all-time leader in digs by a libero in the modern scoring era with 1,625 in her career. 

"She's one of the hardest working players I've coached. If I asked her to break a brick wall down she'd do it, no questions asked," Squier said. "She's going out her senior year with a bang."

The other honorable mention for the Mustangs is Payten Lode, a sophomore from Sheldon, Iowa. Lode stepped up in a big way this season, totaling 353 kills and 325 digs for the Mustangs. She has 592 kills and 404 digs in two seasons with the Mustangs.

"She's had to take on a lot of responsibility this year," Squier said of the sophomore outside hitter. "She's handled it with poise, this is a much deserved recognition for her."

The Mustangs, guided by these four all-conference honorees, made the NAIA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and the first time under Squier's direction. The Mustangs play at IU-Kokomo Saturday at Noon in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament.