Opening home stand concludes on high note

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NEB. – Junior Merel Kooij (Rockanje Zuid, Netherlands) and freshman Emma Dahlhoff (Vermillion, S.D.) proved pivotal for Morningside University capturing a pair of non-conference duals Friday, Feb. 18.

The two, playing in the number five and six singles slots for head coach Alex Struck's team, each gained straight-set victories against foes from Grand View University and Northwestern College. Due to their efforts, the Mustangs improved to 5-1 by closing off a long season-opening home set with a 4-3 decision over the Vikings and a 6-1 triumph against the Great Plains Athletic Conference rival Red Raiders. 

Dahlhoff and Kooij's fabulous Friday didn't end there. The duo, each of whom has won three straight in singles action, combined for a doubles victory versus NWC. The other big headline during the day occurred from sophomore Olivia Boudreau against GVU. The Papillion, Neb., native rallied for what turned out to be the dual decider winning set two 6-0 and the superbreak 10-2 at No. 4 singles. She then teamed up with Kooij for a 6-1 victory at No. 3 doubles to allow the Mustangs to earn the team point.

Morningside is back in action Friday, Feb. 25, taking on National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I program the University of South Dakota in Sioux Falls, S.D. First serve is 1 p.m.