Mustang Volleyball Falls to the Pirates in Four Sets

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa | Despite a dominating first-set win, the Mount Mercy Mustangs fall to Park Pirates 3-1, with scores of 25-17, 24-26, 16-25, and 22-25. 

The Mustangs started the match off strong after recording a .257 hitting percentage while earning 13 kills, topping the Pirates' .167 hitting percentage and 11 kills. Set two proved to be more of a battle for the Mustangs, as they had to fight point-for-point until inevitably falling to the Pirates, tying the match 1-1. The Pirates soon had momentum on their side after taking a 10-1 lead to open set three, guided by a .250 hitting percentage and 14 kills, effectively holding the Mustangs to 11 kills with a .065 hitting percentage. Set four, and the match would go to the Pirates despite the Mustangs recording 13 kills with a .170 hitting percentage.

Mary Kate Bendlage was one of the leading attackers for the Mustangs after she recorded 17 kills out of 71 attempts, leading a .113 hitting percentage. Jenna Brown followed Bendlage with eight kills of her own to pair with a .130 hitting percentage, and Ellie Gerdes would add six kills and a .136 hitting percentage. Hailey Hested was able to end the match with 41 assists, 11 digs, and four kills to go with a .125 hitting percentage. Rylie Mussman would add 32 digs to the team's total of 90 digs. 

Trinity Iverson was one of the Pirates' offensive leaders in the match, with a team-high .425 hitting percentage to go with 13 kills. Izabella Ceratti was another offensive leader for the Pirates after recording 17 kills and a .311 hitting percentage. Julia Alvarez recorded 21 assists in the match with six digs, with Irene Verdino adding 25 digs. 

The Mustangs will be back on the court on Saturday, October 26th, as the Benedictine Ravens travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a Heart of America Conference matchup. The start time is set for 1:00 PM.