Mustangs Reach 20-Win Mark with Sweep of Wildcats

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy University (20-2, 15-2) dominated Culver-Stockton College (MO) (4-22, 2-15) in straight sets, 25-12, 25-18, 25-11, on Friday at Hennessey Rec Center. The Mustangs were on fire offensively, boasting a .458 hitting percentage.

Mount Mercy seized control right from the outset, taking the first set 25-12 with strong defense and sharp serving. Pere Font Torres spearheaded the offense with several kills, while Nikola Kovacevic and Brian Lynch played key roles in blocking, stifling the Wildcats' attempts to score. Richard Struska and Lynch each delivered crucial service aces, capitalizing on Culver-Stockton's reception lapses to widen the gap.

In the second set, the Mustangs maintained their offensive momentum to clinch a 25-18 win. Gustavo Kehl Bauer was instrumental, dishing out multiple assists, including setting up four kills for Font Torres. Mount Mercy also benefited from the Wildcats' mistakes, with three pivotal attack errors helping to extend the lead. Service aces from Struska and Kehl Bauer bolstered their grip on the set.

Mount Mercy continued to assert their dominance in the third set, cruising to a 25-11 victory by exploiting errors and executing effective plays. Struska's serving was vital, delivering two aces and setting up several kills, while Kehl Bauer was key in providing assists.

The Mustangs' blocking was on full display with Matthew Swiatkowski and Lynch combining for an important early block. The Wildcats' service errors further hampered their comeback efforts.

Font Torres led the Mustangs with 18 kills, racking up 18 points. Struska was a standout from the service line, with seven aces and 14 digs. Kehl Bauer orchestrated the offense expertly, tallying 36 assists. Kovacevic was impressive in attack, with seven kills on nine attempts and a remarkable .778 hitting percentage.

For the Wildcats, Zach Kowalewicz was a standout, hitting .571 with four kills and three block assists, contributing 5.5 points. Matt Reese facilitated the offense with 12 assists, while making just one setting error. Rio Victor added five kills on nine attempts, hitting .333, and contributed defensively with two digs and a solo block. Clyde Harold added four kills and two block assists, totaling five points.

The Mustangs now stand at 20-2 overall and 15-2 in conference play, while the Wildcats are 4-22 overall and 2-15 in their conference.

Mount Mercy will next face Missouri Valley on Saturday, April 4, at 1 p.m. at home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.