Mustangs Pick Up Wins over no. 14 Westcliff, (RV) Governors State

PARKVILLE, Mo. – Morningside Men's Volleyball had arguably the biggest day in program history in day two of the Park Pirate Invitational as the Mustangs overthrew no. 14 Westcliff and (RV) Governors State, each by a score of 3-2.

Morningside's defense tallied 25 total blocks across the day's two matches, with 11 solo blocks and 28 block assists. Edoardo Pirazzo led the way, with 13 total blocks, 10 of which came via the block assist. Natan Alves followed with nine total.

Behind the block, Draider Wilcox scooped 25 digs, Tucker Juhnke had 24, Braden Maneja tallied 23, Alves had 15, and Lucca Stoelinga had 14.

Stoelinga amassed 56 assists across the 10 sets, working alongside Wilcox, who had 49. Alves struck for 45 kills, Mauro Verstraeten and Mohamed Benkrid were next at 22 each, and Liam Lutz had 13. As a team, the Mustangs tallied 12.20 kills per set at a .223 hitting percentage.

Morningside will now head home and prepare for the Missouri Valley Tournament next weekend in Marshall, Mo. They'll open play on Jan. 30 against first-year program Hastings at 1 p.m.