Mustangs drop pair in day two of Park tournament

PARKVILLE, MO. – Morningside women's volleyball faced another tough day of competition today, stretching matches with the University of Saint Mary Spires and the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees out to four sets apiece. The Mustangs fell in both matches, losing to the Spires 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, and 25-16 and the Bees 26-24, 23-25, 25-15, and 25-20.

Morningside's first match of the day saw the Mustangs record 39 kills with 35 assists. An aggressive service strategy led to eight service aces, while the Mustangs recorded 58 digs and four total blocks on defense.

Gillian DePauw continued to dish the ball, collecting 29 assists, four of the eight aces, and 10 digs.

Sydney Marlow led the way on the attack, with 12 kills and 10 digs of her own. Nienke van Drunen followed with eight kills, and Kylah Brewer and Makayla Grote each recorded four of their own.

Bridget Smith led the Mustangs with 16 digs, followed by Marlow and DePauw. Van Drunen accounted for both of Morningside's solo blocks in the match with Saint Mary.

In the afternoon match with St. Ambrose, Morningside saw a total of 51 kills off of 51 assists. The Mustangs recorded 80 digs and three blocks on defense, all via the solo block.

Emerson Smith and Payton Shoquist took the lead on defense, each recording 24 digs in the four-setter. Bridget Smith was next in line with 12 digs, and Marlow had 10. Van Drunen was again the leader at the net, with a pair of solo blocks. 

Marlow led the way on offense again, with 20 kills, followed by Emerson Smith with 12 and van Drunen with nine. DePauw had four kills and 44 assists. 

The Mustangs are back in action on Wednesday, Aug. 31, opening Allee Gymnasium for the year as they start their Great Plains Athletic Conference schedule, welcoming Northwestern to town for a 7:30 p.m. contest.