Mustangs enter season with new energy
The Mustangs open the season Friday after narrowly missing a berth in the Heart of America Conference Tournament a year ago. Morningside finished the 2025 season 13-14 overall, including eight wins in league play.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Morningside men's volleyball head coach Noah Marasco-Ayau has noticed two areas of growth in the preseason within his team: competitiveness and emotional maturity.
The Mustangs open the season Friday after finishing the 2025 season 13-14 overall, including eight wins in league play.
Morningside closed the season with wins over Kansas Wesleyan and Graceland, and captured one of three five-set matches. Marasco-Ayau believes added maturity could be the difference in those tight situations moving forward.
"When we're down five and our backs are against the wall, who can handle the pressure?" Marasco-Ayau said. "For me, it comes down to leadership, communication, being a good teammate, and having the emotional maturity to step up."
The Mustangs return four outside hitters, including their top two attackers from last season. Natan Alves led the team with 223 kills, averaging 3.28 per set. He recorded 19 kills twice during the season, including a .368 hitting performance in his second 19-kill match on March 4, 2025.
Mohamed Benkrid ranked second on the team with 180 kills (2.31 per set). He finished the season strong, recording double-digit kills in three of the final five matches, including a season-high 16 against Dordt late in the year.
"The competition among the outsides is going to be huge," Marasco-Ayau said.
Morningside also welcomed a recruiting class of 12, giving the program added depth and competition throughout the lineup: "It's been exciting to see who's fitting in with the returning group," Marasco-Ayau said.
Gabe Schreck returns as the Mustangs' leading setter after posting 262 assists as a freshman last season.
Junior Tucker Juhnke returns as Morningside's top defender after leading the team with 85 digs across 22 matches. He also recorded a block. Juhnke said the increased level of competition has been a positive early indicator for the season ahead.
"Everyone is so talented in our gym this year," Juhnke said. "The competition level is going to be neck and neck all year long. I'm sure there will be lineup changes, and the good thing is everyone is so close in talent. It really comes down to who works best together and shows emotional regulation."