Mustangs Rally in Third, but Ravens Seal Four-Set Victory

ATCHISON, Kan. — Mount Mercy women's volleyball dropped a Heart of America Athletic Conference contest on Friday night, falling 3-1 to Benedictine College at Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. The Mustangs moved to 10-4 overall and 5-2 in conference play, while the Ravens improved to 7-7 and 3-2.

Benedictine secured the win by set scores of 25-18, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19. Despite a strong third-set response from Mount Mercy, the Ravens maintained a consistent offensive rhythm to close out the match.

Set One
Mount Mercy opened the first set with kills from Ellie Gerdes and Alivia Arsenault to build an early lead. Sam Schrage added a kill and combined with Hallie Bedier for a block to tie the score at 11-11. Benedictine responded with a 7-1 run that included two kills from Barbara Terra and a service ace by Wren Vancleave, forcing a pair of Mustang timeouts. Bedier recorded back-to-back kills late in the set, but Benedictine clinched the frame, 25-18.

Set Two
The Ravens controlled the second set behind a 10-3 start, highlighted by a kill and an ace from Bridget O'Sullivan. Bedier and Mary Kate Bendlage combined for three kills to trim the deficit, and Arsenault added a late kill, but Benedictine extended its margin with consecutive service aces from Isabella Franco and secured the set, 25-15.

Set Three
Mount Mercy answered in the third set with its strongest offensive output of the night, posting 16 kills with a .262 hitting percentage. Kate Wright opened with consecutive service aces, and Schrage added an early kill to put the Mustangs ahead, 4-1. Bedier, Bendlage, and Arsenault each contributed multiple kills during the frame, while Gerdes and Schrage combined for a block to cap a 12-10 advantage.

The Ravens pulled even at 22-22, but Bendlage delivered a kill to reclaim the lead, followed by an Arsenault finish to reach set point. Mount Mercy closed the frame on a Benedictine error, 25-23.

Set Four
The Mustangs continued their momentum early in the fourth set, with Bendlage and Arsenault recording kills as part of a 6-4 start. A service ace from Bendlage extended the lead to 6-4, and Schrage followed with a kill to make it 9-6. However, Benedictine countered with a 9-3 stretch fueled by Terra, O'Sullivan, and Vander Woude to regain control.

Mount Mercy cut the deficit to 17-16 on a kill by Delaney Rhoden, but the Ravens responded with six straight points, including kills from Terra and Rayleen Gladden and a service ace by Vancleave. A late kill from Bendlage extended the set, but Benedictine secured the match with a 25-19 decision.

Stat Leaders
Bendlage led the Mustangs with 12 kills, adding eight digs and three block assists for a team-high 14.5 points. Bedier added 12 kills, while Arsenault tallied eight kills on a .273 hitting percentage. Schrage contributed five kills and a team-best four block assists.

Rhoden directed the offense with 19 assists, while Maddie Marquardt dished out 13. Defensively, libero Eryn Jackson posted 10 digs, while Wright added 10 digs and two service aces.

As a team, Mount Mercy finished with 46 kills, 44 assists, 59 digs, and 12 block assists, while hitting .160. Benedictine hit .325 with 69 kills and 11 block assists.

Mount Mercy continues conference play on Saturday, Sept. 27, traveling to face the Baker Wildcats in Baldwin City, Kan. First serve is scheduled for 12 p.m.