Mustangs fall short in Allee opener

SIOUX CITY, IOWA – It was the smell of fresh paint and a new shine to the floor that greeted fans and athletes as Allee Gymnasium began to buzz ahead of the Morningside home opener against Dordt University. Before the night was over, that buzz would reach a roar, as the Mustangs and Defenders locked in battle, only for the visitors to leave with a straight sets win, 25-17, 25-16, and 25-22.

"Our fans were fantastic," remarked Jessica Squier, kicking off her second season as the Mustangs' head coach.  "I hope they continue to support and be patient with us as we continue to grow our skill!"

While Dordt, the no. 5 team in the nation according to the NAIA's most recent coaches' poll, swept Morningside, outhitting the Mustangs in the match, 44 kills to 22, it wasn't a walk in the park for the Defenders.  

Set one saw Dordt take an early lead before Morningside rallied and matched the visitors' three-point run with one of its own.  The subsequent points went back and forth, with the Mustangs tying things up at 9-9 and 10-10 before taking their first lead of the night, 11-10.  A Dordt run forced a Morningside timeout, with a matching run putting the game out of reach for the Mustangs.

Morningside fans watched set two, wondering if their team had left it all in the first set as Dordt took two or three points at a time throughout the set.  However, down 16-9, a kill from Bridget Smith, the freshman setter from Omaha, Neb., paired with a Defender error and a matching kill from Watertown's Emerson Smith did show the hometown hopefuls that the spark wasn't completely gone.

"Tonight showed that our girls aren't going to run away from a fight," said Squier.  "They're gritty when they want to be."

Set three opened with a quick Morningside run, making the score 3-0.  Dordt answered, locking the teams in a battle that would see ties at 4, 5, 6, and 7 points each, before a four-point run forced the Mustangs to play catch up.  

The Mustangs grittiness was on display as they strung together three points to keep the Defenders from getting comfortable, tying the score again at 12.  Dordt again answered, taking a three-point lead and forcing a Morningside timeout for adjustments.  

Dordt took the first point out of the timeout, but a three-point Mustang run kept them within striking distance.  The Defenders again stretched out their lead, reaching the 20-point mark with the Mustangs hanging on, four points behind.  

Morningside continued to fight, closing the gap courtesy of kills by Sydney Marlow, a freshman from Burlington, Iowa, and Ryley Rolls, a junior from Alliance, Neb., forcing a Dordt timeout with the lead, 22-20. 

An attack error and a Dordt block would give the Defenders match point, but another kill by Emerson Smith and an attacking error would force the Sioux Center team to extend their stay in Sioux City a little longer, calling another time out before hammering the final point home.

"There were so many positives tonight," digested Squier.  "We did make many silly errors, but the growth we saw from Saturday to now is huge."

Morningside's attack was topped by Ryley Rolls and Sydney Marlow, each with six kills, followed by Claire Wilson with five.  Bridget Smith collected 16 assists as she dished the ball to the Mustang offense.  

Payton Shoquist, clad in the black libero jersey, scooped 14 digs.  Sabrina Creason followed with 10, and Bridget Smith had nine.  Claire Wilson led the blocking efforts with three block assists, with Meredith Hoffman close behind with two.

Morningside, now 3-2, continues with non-conference play, traveling to Marshall, Mo. for the Missouri Valley Viking Invitational on Friday and Saturday, before returning home to play Northwestern College on Wednesday, Sept. 1.