Mustangs sweep midweek contest against Pride

DUBUQUE, Iowa- The Mount Mercy women's volleyball team picked up their sixth sweep of the season tonight in a Heart of America Athletic Conference match, defeating Clarke in straight sets inside the Kehl Center. 

Clarke recorded the first two points of the first set, but Mount Mercy rattled off the next seven thanks to Hailey Hested's superb serving. The Mustangs also picked up two blocks from Lexi Klinkkammer and Jenna Brown during that run. The Pride got within two at the 22-20 mark, but consecutive kills from Klinkkammer and Brown, followed by a Maggie Peters ace gave the first set to Mount Mercy, 25-20. 

Neither team led by more than five the duration of the second set; going from 10 all to 17-15 in favor of Mount Mercy, and then a 24-19 Mustang lead. The Pride used a kill, two aces, and a Mount Mercy error to get within one at 24-23. Head Coach Deb Marlin elected not to use a timeout and it paid off as Hested and Brown came up with a huge block assist for the 25-23 win.

In the third set, the Mustangs and Pride traded points early on before Mount Mercy was able to create some breathing room. Another block by Hested and Maggie Peters gave the Mustangs a 16-12 lead. Just like in the previous two sets, Clarke (3-13, 0-9 Heart) had a late push to keep Mount Mercy on their toes, getting within three, 22-19. The Mustangs recorded the final three points, with match point an ace from Brown for the sweep, 25-19. 

Mount Mercy (13-4, 6-3 Heart) hit a season-best .515 in the second set, contributing to their overall hitting percentage of .336, also a season-best. Klinkkammer finished with 12 kills and 12 digs to go along with three assists, two aces, a solo block, and two block assists. Peters smashed .556 on 10 kills and picked up two blocks assists. Hested was busy as well, totalling 36 assists, 12 digs, two block assists, an ace, and four kills on no errors. 

The Mustangs continue their road stint this weekend with two Heart matchups. On Friday, Sept. 30 they play William Penn (9-9, 4-4 Heart) at 7:00 pm in Oskaloosa before they get a chance to avenge their loss to Grand View (5-12, 4-5 Heart) on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 4:00 pm in Des Moines.