Men's volleyball splits opening day matches

DUBUQUE, IOWA – Morningside opened the 2023 season today, competing in a triangular with Cardinal Stritch and Clarke. Morningside lost the opener, falling to Cardinal Stritch, 3-2, with scores of 20-25, 15-25, 28-26, 25-22, and 15-9, before defeating Clarke 3-1, with scores of 25-22, 14-25, 25-22, and 25-16.

The Mustangs started the season well, despite some of last year's statistical leaders being sidelined by injuries, winning the first two sets. Cardinal Stritch was down, but not out, though, as the Wolves came back to force the deciding set and claim the match.

Morningside was led against Cardinal Stritch by Ferdinando Vinti, who had 14 kills. Kahakai Kahoiwai followed with 13 kills, while Natan Alves had 11. Jacob DePauw scored three kills in four attempts, also tallying 42 assists.

Tharen Cox led the defense at the net, with three block assists. Kahoiwai had two.

Beyond the net, Owen Anderson and Kahoiwai each had 10 digs. Alves followed with nine.

In the nightcap, the Mustangs again started strong, winning set one before Clarke settled in to take set two. Morningside would come back and win set three, showing that it wasn't leaving without a fight, going on to neutralize the Pride in set four.

Alves led the Mustangs' attack in the match, hitting .231 and striking for 12 kills. Kahoiwai followed with 11 kills and Dylan Hamil followed with eight. DePauw added 33 assists and a kill to his season totals.

Hamil led Morningside's defense at the net, with three blocks. Cox and Jesse Lowe each had two. 

Anderson had another eight digs, leading the Mustangs, followed by Hamil, Alves, and Kahoiwai, with six each.

Morningside is back on the court tomorrow, playing in a triangular with Viterbo and Lakeland in Lacrosse, Wis., at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.