MO RN INGSID E C O L L E G E M ATC HDAY - O CTO B E R 7, 2 02 0
MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL Morningside College honors its three-member Class of 2021 student-athletes prior to the start of tonight’s Great Plains Athletic Conference varsity match against Dordt University. Defensive specialist Ashley Boer and outside hitters Krista Zenk and Caitlin Mackovicka have been a part of 55 program victories including one 20-plus win campaign (2017); three GPAC postseason tournament appearances; and three National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’ championships appearances. Head coach Jessica Squier’s Mustangs enter the evening 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the league. The visiting Defenders of Dordt University stand 5-3 overall and 4-3 in loop competition.
MUSTANG MARKS Morningside finished off a strong 2-1 week in GPAC action with a three-set sweep of Dakota Wesleyan University Oct. 4. It was an old-fashioned family road trip, complete with a stop at the World’s Only and Famous Corn Palace. Mside, ready for a break from the bus, took the opportunity to stretch its legs and see the sights, picking up a souvenir, a straight-set victory, thanks to scores of 25-17, 25-18, and 25-12. “A game like this to bounce back after Northwestern shows that our players have grit,” explained Squier. “Now we just need to channel it no matter who is across the net.” … The Mustangs hit a staggering .427 as a team in stark contrast to .140 last time these two teams met. Squier’s squad had just eight hitting errors and 55 kills in 110 attempts in the afternoon, with four players hitting double-digit kills. “We have seen so much growth from the team in the last two weeks, and we are excited we are making strides forward,” she said … The offensive attack, orchestrated by junior setter Sabrina Creason with 43 assists, was led by junior outside hitter Kaelyn Giefer with 16 kills and a .500 hitting percentage. Makovicka and Zenk each tallied 12 kills, hitting .455 and .355 percent, respectively. Freshman middle hitter Meredith Hoffman took top honors for efficiency among the Morningside attackers, hitting .643 on her way to 10 kills in the match … Junior defensive specialist Kayla Harris, continuing the weekend road trip theme, collected 16 digs against the Tigers like commemorative keychains. Due to that effort, she remained atop the conference digs per set column (5.7). Other impressive GPAC digits include Zenk (second – kills per set – 4.2) and Creason (third – assists per set – 11.1). Along national lines, Creason is leading the way in total assists (420), Zenk is third in total kills (159) and Harris’ 217 digs rank fourth … Morningside breaks from competition until Friday, Oct. 16, after tonight’s action, as Mount Marty University visits Allee Gymnasium for a 6 and 7:30 p.m. junior varsity – varsity doubleheader.