Valley City State rallies late to stun No. 15 Mustangs

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A back-and-forth battle between the 15^th-ranked Morningside women's volleyball team and (RV) Valley City State on Friday went to the Vikings in five sets at Rosen Verdoorn Sports Complex.

The Vikings defeated the Mustangs by set scores of 25-12, 18-25, 25-23, 16-25 and 17-15 to spoil the first of two home weekend matches for Morningside.

After a disappointing first set, Morningside (12-5) started set No. 2 by scoring the first three points, including kills from Emerson Smith and Claire Wilson. That 3-0 lead blossomed into a 18-3 lead, including a five-run rally that feature two VCSU errors, an Aleksandra Dalach service ace, and kills from Smith and Victoria Bouska.

Morningside's longest rally in the fourth set was four, with kills from Wilson, Smith and Adelyn Harris. There were two late 3-point rallies late in the fourth by the Mustangs.

Morningside led 14-11 late in the fifth, but VCSU ruined the night with a late 6-1 rally.

Wilson led the Mustangs with 15 kills, as she hit .235 on the night. Smith followed with 14 kills, and Marlow – who surpassed the 200 mark on the season and added to her career record – earned 12.

Kyla Dyrstad and Dalach combined for 51 assists, while Barbora Kozouskova and Aureana Bernales had eight and five, respectively.

Wilson had two aecs, while Smith and Dalach each had one.

Marlow was the top defender with 21 digs, while Bernales had 20.

Harris had seven total blocks, while Bouska had four. Haren and Wilson totaled three blocks each.

Morningside is back home at 3 p.m. Saturday, resuming Great Plains Athletic Conference play against Waldorf.