MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MATCHDAY - FEBRUARY 12-13, 2021
MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL First-year head coach Theison Anderson’s Morningside College squad steps on the floor for the first time this weekend. The Mustangs take on National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ No. 7-ranked University of Jamestown in their home, Great Plains Athletic Conference, and regular-season opener Friday and then host fellow GPAC member Dordt University and Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference foe Viterbo University of LaCrosse, Wis., Saturday. Saturday’s schedule is as follows: Morningside vs. Dordt, 1 p.m.; Dordt vs. Viterbo, 3:15 p.m.; Morningside vs. Viterbo, 5:30 p.m.
Season Glance Anderson sees good progressions from practices going into the season opener. “We’re moving forward,” he noted. “We have a small roster, but I feel like the right guys are in the right positions. We’re staying the course, keeping positive, and looking forward to the start of the season.” He recognized senior Kyle Cox and junior middle hitter Tyler Godown as early-season leaders. “Kyle is very vocal and serves the leadership role well,” Anderson said. “Tyler is more of a leader by example, as he gives 110 percent all the time. We have some others looking to move into that type of role, too.” Morningside’s head coach wants Mustangs fans to see a disciplined group at all times on the floor. “We’ve been focusing on serve and pass, as myself and our coaching staff understand the need for aggressive serving and consistent passing,” Anderson said. “During matches, I want us to win those two areas to be able to control the ball. If we can do that and be disciplined on defense, that’s the equation for positive outcomes. We’ve come a long way from the fall and since we returned from winter break in those areas, but there is still work to be done. This weekend will give us a good baseline of where the next steps need to be.” This weekend’s schedule opens a robust set of three straight home weekends. Mside hosts Ottawa University of Kansas Feb 19 and the inaugural GPAC Classic Feb 20 and then welcomes Lincoln College of Missouri and Judson University of Illinois Friday, Feb 26.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION Head coach Riley Salmon’s Jimmies of the University of Jamestown, sporting a 2-1 record going into a Great Plains Athletic Conference match at Ottawa University Feb. 11, moved up one spot on the second NAIA top 15, released Feb. 10. Freshman outside hitter Tanner Woods and junior right-side hitter Clark Steele stand one-two in kills (35/27). Freshman middle hitter Derek Owens has been tough on the opposition with 12 blocks.