Mustangs Open Nationals with Strong Victory Over Bethel

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy (23-4) triumphed over Bethel (IN) (21-7) with a 3-1 victory in the NAIA National Championship Pool C on Wednesday at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse. Mount Mercy secured the win with a strong fourth set, hitting .308 while limiting Bethel to a .107 hitting percentage.

Mount Mercy opened the first period with a strong 5-1 run, featuring kills from Curdin Acklin and Matthew Krzos, as well as back-to-back service aces by Gabor Toth. Bethel responded with a series of blocks and kills, led by Thomas Dunkley and Santana Roybal-Benson, to level the score at 14-14.

Despite Mount Mercy's persistent offense, highlighted by Guglielmo Illotti's decisive kills, Bethel capitalized on Mount Mercy's attack errors in a tense final stretch, edging out a 30-28 victory in the opening set.

Mount Mercy capitalized on Bethel's attack errors, which facilitated an impressive come-from-behind win in the second set, 25-22. Early in the set, blocks by Acklin and Krzos contributed to a series of Bethel errors, establishing a six-point lead for Mount Mercy.

Illotti's pivotal kills, assisted by Gustavo Kehl Bauer, helped Mount Mercy regain momentum and build a late 5-0 run that sealed the set, highlighted by critical blocks and Bethel's attack errors. The team's defensive efforts effectively neutralized Bethel's offensive attempts, leading to a decisive close to the set.

Mount Mercy secured a tense third-set victory, edging Bethel 25-22 with a series of decisive plays. Illotti led the charge with multiple key kills, including two in the final stretch, contributing to Mount Mercy's ability to fend off Bethel's advances. Kehl Bauer proved instrumental, providing crucial assists that facilitated Mount Mercy's offensive momentum. Despite Bethel's efforts, including a late timeout at 21-23, Mount Mercy capitalized on Bethel's attack errors to close out the set.

Mount Mercy secured the fourth set with a decisive 25-18 victory, leveraging a series of pivotal plays. Illotti led Mount Mercy with five kills, including a key stretch that extended its lead to 5-2. The home team's defense was instrumental, with multiple blocks by Kehl Bauer and Krzos contributing to Bethel's attack errors, culminating in Mount Mercy's dominant close. Bethel's late attempts, including McGwire Eigenrauch's assists, were insufficient to overcome the gap.

Illotti led the offensive effort with a career-high 29 kills on 59 attempts, contributing a total of 31 points. Kehl Bauer facilitated the attack, recording 53 assists throughout the match. Raphael Massara was effective at the net, achieving seven total blocks and adding nine kills on 16 swings, hitting .438. Richard Struska anchored the defense, collecting 19 digs over the course of four games.

Ling Pak Him led the Pilots with 18.5 points, contributing 16 kills on 39 attempts and two service aces. Eigenrauch was instrumental in setting, recording 44 assists without an error. Dunkley added 18 points, tallying 17 kills on 44 swings, while also contributing two blocks. Defensively, Eduardo Kerkoski stood out with 18 digs over four matches, anchoring the team's backline efforts. Roybal-Benson made a significant impact at the net with seven total blocks, including one solo, enhancing Bethel's defensive presence.

The Mustangs have a record of 23-4. The Pilots have a record of 21-7.

In their next matchup, the Mustangs will face Saint Xavier on Thursday, April 30, at 10 a.m. The competition will take place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.