2025 Mount Mercy Women's Volleyball Preview

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Mount Mercy women's volleyball team heads into the 2025 season looking to build on a 2024 campaign that saw them post a 16-17 overall record and 12-7 mark in Heart conference play.

With a core of returning talent, and some familiar faces on the coaching staff, the Mustangs aim to improve on last season toward championship contention.

KEY RETURNERS

Leading the charge is outside hitter Mary Kate Bendlage, who emerged as a focal point on offense as a true freshman. Bendlage racked up 448 kills - averaging 3.5 kills per set - while adding 416 digs and 30 blocks. Bendlage has shown ability to score from both pins and keep rallies alive in the back row, making her a complete player.

Joining her at the net is Ellie Gerdes, who posted 216 kills on a .209 hitting percentage in 2024, along with 43 total blocks. Brooke Ellyson joins Gerdes and Bendlage as key returners after a productive freshman season, tallying 247 digs, 44 aces, and 31 kills. Ellyson's serve-receive consistency and ability to attack in transition makes her a name to watch in year two.

KEY LOSSES: SHIFTING TO THE SIDELINES

A pair of familiar faces shift their focus from the court to the sidelines. The first name is arguably the best setter in school history in Hailey Hested. Hested's senior season on the court saw numerous school records broken, as she tallied 1,359 assists, which marks the best total in school history in a single season. Hested also set the career mark in total assists, totaling nearly 4,000 at 3,965, shattering the previous school record by almost 400 assists. Hested joins the Mustang coaching staff as an assistant coach after her playing career.

Joining her on the Deb Marlin's coaching staff is Rylie Mussman, who will remain at Mount Mercy as a graduate assistant following her storied playing career. Mussman ranks second in school history in total digs at 2,283, while marking a new school record in digs per set at 5.11. 

In addition, the Mustangs lose Jenna Brown, a presence up front who recorded 406 kills on a .251 hitting percentage. Brown also led the team in total blocks with 93.

2025 OUTLOOK

Without Hested, Mussman, and Brown, the Mustangs must fill nearly 40% of the kills, 45% of the digs, and all of the primary setting duties from a year ago. However, the return of Bendlage, Gerdes, and Ellyson gives the Mustangs a strong foundation.

The Mustangs open up the 2025 campaign on the road at the Tiger Kickoff Invitational, hosted by Olivet Nazarene in Illinois. The Mustangs first play host ONU before taking on Grace later on Friday. Then on Saturday, it's a noon first serve with Ave Maria out of Florida, followed by a matchup with Cumberland (Tenn.). The Mustangs first home contest will also open the Heart of America schedule, as Missouri Valley makes the trip to Cedar Rapids on Friday, September 5.