Mustangs pick up pair of wins over ex-GPAC opponents

PARKVILLE, MO. – Morningside picked up another pair of victories today, both coming at the expense of fellow former Great Plains Athletic Conference men's volleyball teams. The Mustangs pushed their record to 3-1 in their young season, defeating Jamestown, 3-1, before collecting a decided victory over Central Christian, 3-0.

Jacob DePauw notched 28 assists over Jamestown, finding Natan Alves for a team-leading 14 kills and Liam Lutz for nine. Sam Benick added six of his own, hitting .600.

Benick put up a wall on defense, collecting seven block assists and a solo block. Alves added five block assists and a solo block, and Tharen Cox had six block assists.

Owen Anderson led the back row with 14 digs, while Alves had nine.

Morningside had the opportunity to get other players some reps against Central Christian, as Donte Jennings and Gabe Schreck handled setting duties. Jennings had 16 assists, while Schreck had 11. 

Kirby Schmalz led the attack, with 11 kills. Isaiah Baynes had nine, and Jennings and Michael Padilla had five each.

Jennings led in the digs column with six, while Schmalz and Donavon Chandy each had five. Taysen Ford was the leader on the defensive side of the net, collecting three block assists and one solo block.

Morningside takes the court again tomorrow, playing Viterbo at noon in the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center.