Murphy breaks record, Mustangs extend win streak

PERU, Neb. / LAMONI, Iowa - Mackenzie Murphy etched her name into the Mount Mercy women's volleyball history books once again, this time as the new career service ace leader after recording three in each match over the weekend. The Mustangs defeated Peru State (Neb.) 3-1 on Friday and Graceland 3-0 on Saturday in Heart of America Conference action. 

Murphy has tallied an ace in the last five matches, bringing her career total to 170. Sher surpassed Brandy Schmit's record of 168 which stood for 20 years. Murphy has a career aces per set average of 0.46 and currently leads the Heart in service aces with 46, which is tied for 20th in the NAIA as well. She also finished with 12 kills against both the Bobacts and Yellowjackets. 

Against Peru State, Mount Mercy jumped out to a quick 2-0 set lead before dropping the third set. The Mustangs answered in the fourth, having their best attack percentage of the match, highlighted by Katie Kopriva who had four of her eight kills in the fourth. Alayna Westenberg also registered all three of her kills in the fourth to propel Mount Mercy to victory. The Mustangs won the match over the Bobcats (7-20, 2-11 Heart) 25-19, 25-16, 25-27, and 25-20. Kopriva led Mount Mercy with a .353% attack percentage, only having committed two errors. Jenna Brown totaled 12 kills, eight digs, and four blocks. Rylie Mussman tallied 31 digs and Hailey Hested had 38 assists to go along with 15 digs. Falynn Buehler and Brooklyn Miller joined Murphy with three aces apiece. 

Mount Mercy picked up their second sweep of the season over Graceland (7-16, 4-11 Heart) on Saturday, winning 25-16, 25-22, and 25-15. In the opening set, the Mustangs hit a blistering .458% to set the tone for the match. Mount Mercy used an 11-3 run to break open the set after being tied at nine all. Murphy accounted for three kills in that span and also went on to have the set point kill. The Mustangs held a four point advantage in the second set, but the Yellowjackets scored four unanswered to force a Mount Mercy timeout at 21-21. Two Graceland errors and kills from Murphy and Hallie Bedier helped the Mustangs escape the Yellowjacket comeback. Set three saw Mount Mercy down 6-2, but a seven-point swing put the Mustangs in front 9-6. Cassidy Boche recorded back-to-back kills and Kopriva connected on three aces during Mount Mercy's run. The Mustangs had another seven-point swing, extending their lead to 18-11 and never looked back. Kopriva hit .500% on the day to finish with nine kills and nine digs to go along with her three aces. 

Mount Mercy (19-6, 12-3 Heart) takes their five-match winning streak to William Penn (15-13, 9-5 Heart) on Tuesday, Oct. 24. The Statesmen stunned the Mustangs on their home court earlier this year, taking a 2-0 deficit and coming away with the win. The Mustangs will look to even the season series in Oskaloosa at the Penn Activity Center starting at 7:00 pm.