Mustangs collect crucial conference win over crosstown rival

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – While the site for the September 8 volleyball match was Sioux City, the Mustangs were far from stepping onto their home court as they squared off with Briar Cliff.  Despite playing in front of a loud home crowd, Morningside came away with a win in the crosstown showdown, 3-2, with scores of 27-25, 25-22, 18-25, 24-26, and 15-8.  

Morningside came out swinging in set one, figuratively and literally, as the match started with an ace serve by senior setter Sabrina Creason and the Mustangs hammered 22 kills in the extended set, collecting just one error with a .467 kill percentage.  The guests on the scoreboard never lost the lead in the set.

The offensive efficiency waned for the Mustangs in sets two, three, and four, opening the door for Briar Cliff's set victories on the night, but returned when Morningside needed it most, the pivotal set five.

"Our chemistry as a team was really good in set one," remarked coach Jessica Squier.  "The girls calmed their minds, and were able to find their competitive edge again in set five.  We refocused on our controllables."

Morningside continued its trend of aggressive serving, highlighted by a match-high three for freshman Emerson Smith, one of which came as Briar Cliff was trying to mount a comeback late in set five.  The Mustangs aced their opponents nine times in the match.

Bridget Smith, the freshman setter from Omaha, Neb., took lead in the assists game, edging out her veteran counterpart, Creason, 25-24.  

On the attack, Morningside was led by Emerson Smith, with 19.  Sydney Marlow followed with 17 kills, while Meredith Hoffman, hitting at a team-high .375 percentage, followed with 16 kills of her own.  The team earned 73 kills across the match, hitting .241 by the night's end.

"Having the number of options that we do on offense is an indicator of how our team chemistry is building," digested Squier.  "We took big steps in the right direction as a team tonight."

The Mustang defense was co-led at the net by Emma Schall and Claire Wilson, each collecting three block assists, as part of the team total of five blocks.  Payton Shoquist led the efforts behind the block, with 17 digs.  Marlow and Emerson Smith followed, with 14 and 11, respectively.  

Morningside, having collected its first GPAC win of the season, are now 1-2 in the conference, and 8-7 overall.  They're back in action on Saturday, Sept. 11, when Jamestown visits Allee Gym for a 1:30 p.m. JV match, with varsity following, scheduled for 3 p.m.