Mustangs split day one of CSM United Tournament

NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. – It was a long day one of the College of Saint Mary United tournament for Morningside volleyball, as the Mustangs picked up a 3-0 win over York this morning before this afternoon's match with Mayville State slipped away 3-2.

Morningside took the floor this morning in one of the 11 a.m. matches of the CSM United tournament, playing an elongated first set against York, 27-25. The Mustangs improved as the match continued, taking set two 25-20 and set three 25-13.

The Mustangs hit .308 against York, recording 48 kills, 45 assists, 41 digs, and five total blocks. Aggressive serving also recorded 11 aces 

Sydney Marlow climbed back on top of Morningside's rankings, hitting .519 while collecting 17 kills. Payten Lode continued with the momentum she was showing in Wednesday's match, following with 13 kills. Claire Wilson and Kylah Brewer each recorded six kills. Gillian DePauw and Bridget Smith each took shares of the total assists, with 22 and 18 respectively. Marlow also recorded a team-high five aces.

On defense, Marlow and Nienke van Drunen led the way at the net with two blocks each. Smith, Brewer, and DePauw each had a block in the contest.

Beyond the net, Aureana Bernales did the heavy lifting, with 12 digs, Payton Shoquist had eight, and Smith had five.

Morningside and Mayville state decided to stretch the day's 3 p.m. match out into a five-setter, with the Comets collecting the win 25-17, 22-25, 17-25, 25-19, and 16-14.

Marlow again led the way, with 20 kills, but found Lode right on her tail, with 19. Claire Wilson was next in line for the Mustangs, recording eight. DePauw took lead in the assists column, with 28, with Smith not far behind with 23. 

Bernales again led the way on defense, with 32 digs. Shoquist and Marlow followed with 21 each, and Smith had 12. Morningside recorded 11 total blocks, led by van Drunen with six and Brewer, who added five more to her total for the day.

The Mustangs are back in action tomorrow at 1 p.m., facing Saint Francis of Indiana, before ending the weekend in a 5 p.m. contest against no. 9 Viterbo.