Strong Serving Leads Mustangs to Victory Against Phoenix

MOLINE, Ill. — Mount Mercy continues its season on a high note with a commanding 3-0 win over Cumberland (TN) on Saturday, sweeping the sets 25-21, 25-16, and 25-14. Mount Mercy showcased an impressive .365 hitting percentage, while Cumberland (TN) struggled at .103.

The Mustangs clinched the first set 25-21 with a strong finish, as Guglielmo Illotti delivered three straight kills in the final moments. Raphael Massara added two service aces, sparking a crucial mid-set run, while Gustavo Kehl Bauer orchestrated the offense with precision. Cumberland's efforts, led by Joao Infante, were met with solid defensive plays and timely kills from the Mustangs.

In the second set, Mount Mercy took advantage of Cumberland's mistakes, cruising to a 25-16 win. Aggressive serving led to four aces, with key contributions from Massara and Nikola Kovacevic. Illotti and Kovacevic were dominant at the net, combining for several blocks that halted Cumberland's momentum. Kehl Bauer's effective distribution set up Curdin Acklin for numerous kills, keeping the Mustangs in control.

The Mustangs sealed the match with a 25-14 victory in the third set, sparked by a powerful 9-1 run that included multiple service aces and capitalized on Cumberland's errors. Illotti was pivotal, with a mix of kills and blocks, while Kovacevic added pressure with a service ace and strong blocking. Cumberland's inconsistency, marked by attack and service errors, allowed Mount Mercy to maintain their lead comfortably.

Illotti led with 13 kills and a .500 hitting percentage, driving the Mustangs' offensive success. Massara's serving prowess was evident with five aces, alongside three blocks. Kovacevic contributed defensively with one solo block and five assists. Kehl Bauer ensured smooth ball distribution with 28 assists.

For Cumberland (TN), Joao Infante topped the stats with 13 kills on 27 attempts and a .222 hitting percentage, contributing 14.5 points. Austin Kuehler was key in setting up the offense with 20 assists and no errors. Zendai Richards was active at the net with 2.0 blocks, adding 3.0 points. Nage Hendrickson chipped in six kills on 12 attempts, achieving a .167 hitting percentage and 6.5 points. Francesco Corradini was a defensive force with four block assists, adding 4.0 points.

With this victory, the Mustangs start the season 2-0, while Cumberland (TN) falls to 0-2. Mount Mercy's next test will be in Quincy, Illinois, as they face Quincy University on Friday, Jan. 30, with the exhibition match slated for 6 p.m. CT.