Morningside falls in four sets to Tigers

MITCHELL, S.D. — The Morningside women's volleyball team opened strong but couldn't sustain its momentum Wednesday, falling to Dakota Wesleyan in four sets, 25-13, 20-25, 19-25, 21-25.

Emma Haren led the Mustangs with 16 kills and 19 digs, while Payten Lode posted a double-double with 12 kills and a team-high 32 digs, setting a new program record for digs by a non-libero in a four-set match. Victoria Bouska hit a team-best .385 with 11 kills, and Adelyn Harris added 10 kills along with the team's lone solo block and four assisted blocks to pace the front line.

Setter Kyla Dyrstad dished out 44 assists and collected 19 digs, while libero Aubrey Sandbothe recorded 27 digs to anchor the defense. As a team the Mustangs also set a program record for total digs in a four-set match.

Morningside dominated the opening set behind .255 hitting but struggled to maintain rhythm as the Tigers' balanced attack took over. Dakota Wesleyan used key runs late in the second and fourth sets to seal the match.