Mustangs remain unbeaten at Charger Invite

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Even though the Mount Mercy women's volleyball team had to play from behind, overcome big runs, and dig deep, they prevailed in two more five-set matches against Mount Marty (S.D.) and Valley City State (N.D.), before defeating Briar Cliff in four at the Charger Invite this past Friday and Saturday. 

The Mustangs won the first set against the Lancers 25-16, but dropped the next two 25-21 and 25-23 on Friday night. Mount Mercy used a set-high 15 kills and held Mount Marty (4-4) to an .043 attack percentage to take the fourth set, 25-20. The Mustangs jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the final set, highlighted by aces and blocks. Mount Mercy won 15-9 led by Mackenzie Murphy who finished with 17 kills and 17 digs to go along with five aces. The Mustangs doubled up the Lancers in attack percentage as Kendall McNaull hit .529 with 10 kills to pace Mount Mercy. Hailey Hested totaled 42 assists and 20 digs, while Rylie Mussman corralled 16 digs, respectively. 

On Saturday, Mount Mercy and Valley City State (3-2) needed all five sets again to decide a winner. The two teams played an even match with just five kills, five digs and two blocks separating them. The Mustangs trailed 11-7 in the fifth, but an 8-2 run closed out the set and match. Katie Kopriva recorded the final two kills for Mount Mercy, as she finished with 15 kills, 20 digs, and five blocks. Murphy paced all players with 21 kills. Hallie Bedier tallied her first career double-digit kill performance with 12, while also picking up 14 digs and an ace. Hested inserted herself into the Mount Mercy record book at seventh all time for assists in a single match with 64. Mussman's 32 digs were just two off her career high. 

After the Mustangs lost the first set to host, Briar Cliff (0-4), they won the next three (18-25, 25-14, 25-13, 27-25) to finish the weekend unbeaten and stay perfect on the season. Murphy and Kopriva stayed hot, finishing with 14 and 11 kills respectively. Cassidy Boche added nine and Madi Havermann seven. 

Mount Mercy (6-0) travels back to Sioux City for the College of Saint Mary Labor Day Classic this coming Friday and Saturday, September 1-2. The Mustangs will face Providence (Mont.) (6-1) and College of Saint Mary (Neb.) (7-1) at noon and 8:00 pm on Friday before squaring off against Dordt (0-2) and Dakota State (S.D.) (3-2) 11:00 am and 3:00 pm on Saturday.