Seven Mustangs earn all-conference honors

OLATHE, Kan. - After finishing the season with a 22-7 record atop the Heart North division, and earning a third seed in the conference tournament, the Mustangs were rewarded with seven all-conference award winners, tying with Central Methodist and Park both of who also had seven. Hailey Hested, Mackenzie Murphy, Rylie Mussman, Katie Kopriva, Jenna Brown, Madi Havermann, and Kendall McNaull highlighted arguably one of Mount Mercy's best seasons under head coach Deb Marlin.

For the first time in her career, Hested, a junior setter, surpassed 1,000 assists in a single season, finishing at 1,026 for a 9.87 assist per set average earning her first-team all-Heart of America honors for the second consecutive year. She played in all 29 matches for the Mustangs, tallying 31 aces, 39 kills, and 283 digs all while taking charge of the Mount Mercy offense. Hested was also the Heart Setter of the Week on Oct. 30 as well. 

Murphy, a senior outside hitter, joins Hested with first-team all-Heart recognition after leading the Mustangs with 354 kills, 3.37 kills per set, 51 aces, and was second on the team with 350 digs. This is Murphy's first time on the first-team after honorable mention and third-team honors the past two years. Murphy is well deserving of this feat as she put herself in the Mount Mercy record books - becoming just the fifth player in school history to reach 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs. Earlier this year she also broke a 20-year old school record for career aces. 

Mussman, a junior libero, was named the Heart of America Defender of the Week en route to compiling 518 digs on the year and earning a second-team all-Heart honor for the first time after being honorable mention last year. Mussman eclipsed 1,000 career digs this year and led the defensive attack for the Mustangs averaging nearly five (4.89) digs per set. Her 518 digs are the most she has corralled in a single season in her career. 

Kopriva, a senior opposite and second-team all-Heart honoree hammered home 230 kills this season averaging 2.64 kills per set, both are second most on the team. She also picked up 238 digs, 29 service aces, and 46 blocks. 

The big three middle blockers of juniors Brown and Havermann, and senior McNaull, were one, two, three in all block categories on the team as well as attack percentage. Havermann, led the way with 68 blocks assists coupled with 10 solo blocks. Brown paced the team with 15 solo blocks and McNaull was right behind with 14. This trio accounted for 205 total blocks or 59% of all Mustang blocks. Brown led Mount Mercy hitting .276, Havermann hit .241, and McNaull .237. Brown and Havermann collected third-team all-Heart honors and McNaull was an honorable mention all-Heart selection. 

2023 Heart Women's Volleyball Awards: 

Player of the Year, Attacker of the Year: Callie Henson (Central Methodist)

Setter of the Year, Freshman of the Year: Arianna Marino (Park)

Defender of the Year: Krystal Brauner (Central Methodist)

Coach of the Year: Mike Talamantes (Park)

Assistant Coach of the Year: Mateus Martins (Park)

Click here to see the complete list of the 2023 Heart women's volleyball awards.