Mustang
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SATURDAY, SEPT. 17 The Mustangs turn their gaze to Dakota Wesleyan as they continue through a top 25 heavy Great Plains Athletic Conference schedule. Morningside enters the contest at 4-11 and 1-2 in the GPAC, hoping to snap a two-game losing streak.
THE SERIES The Mustangs are 5-3 through the last eight matchups with Dakota Wesleyan, with a 2-3 record through the last five. Morningside’s last win was on the hardwood of Allee Gym in 2020, with the Tigers taking the last two matches as they continue to gain traction in the national rankings.
THE MATCH-UP Morningside’s attack has continued to grow and become multifaceted as the season progresses. Sydney Marlow, who ranks fifth nationally in kills, leads the way, but Payton Lode and Claire Wilson have been giving the Mustangs other opportunities to score. Defensively, Aureana Bernales has settled into the libero role, averaging 7.8 digs per set since donning the offcolored jersey. Kylah Brewer leads the team in blocking, with a high water mark of 11 blocks in the five-set match against Saint Francis earlier this month. Dakota Wesleyan, who is ranked no. 18 nationally, enters the contest with a 9-2 record and a 2-1 mark in the league. Ady Dwight leads the Tiger attack, with 177 kills this season. Dwight also leads the Tigers’ on the defensive side of the net, with 47 blocks. Other leaders for DWU include libero Hanna Reiff, who has 197 digs and averages 5.32 per set and Madeline Else, who has 443 assists, averaging almost 12 per set.