Mustangs' Fourth-Set Surge Not Enough in Loss to CMU

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy University dropped a four-set match to Central Methodist (25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-23) in Heart of America Athletic Conference women's volleyball action Saturday afternoon at Hennessey Recreation Center. The loss moves the Mustangs to 10-7 overall and 5-5 in league play, while the Eagles improve to 13-6 and 5-4.

Mary Kate Bendlage led the Mustangs' attack with 16 kills on 63 total attempts, hitting .190. Hallie Bedier and Ellie Gerdes each reached double figures with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Alivia Arsenault added nine kills and two block assists, while Brooke Ellyson posted 20 digs and a service ace to anchor the back row.

Maddie Marquardt directed the offense with 26 assists, while Delaney Rhoden contributed 22 assists and two aces in a 6-2 setting rotation. Kate Wright totaled 16 digs, and Eryn Jackson added nine digs and one ace. As a team, Mount Mercy finished with 54 assists, five aces, and 101 total digs.

Central Methodist posted a .179 attack percentage on 55 kills and 21 errors in 190 total attacks. Mount Mercy hit .117 with 55 kills, 32 errors, and 196 total attempts. The Eagles out-blocked the Mustangs, 22-7, and recorded five service aces to Mount Mercy's five.

The first set featured an early 8-4 lead for Mount Mercy following a series of kills from Bendlage and Gerdes, but Central Methodist used a 10-0 run to regain control. The Mustangs fought back to within three on late aces from Rhoden, but the Eagles secured the frame 25-21 on a kill by Luciana Araujo.

In set two, Mount Mercy opened with a 9-3 advantage after kills from Arsenault and Bendlage forced a Central Methodist timeout. The Eagles responded with a steady side-out game and took their first lead at 16-15. Despite consecutive kills from Bedier and Gerdes late in the set, CMU closed out the 25-23 win to take a 2-0 match lead.

The Mustangs responded in the third set, using a balanced offensive rhythm and improved block timing to control the tempo. Bendlage, Arsenault, and Bedier each tallied multiple kills during a 10-4 run that forced two Eagle timeouts. Ellyson and Teresa Pattanaro added back-row production, while Rhoden's serving run helped Mount Mercy secure the 25-19 win and extend the match.

Set four saw the Mustangs rally from a 15-8 deficit to tie the score at 17-17 behind a series of transition kills from Bendlage. Ellyson's kill gave Mount Mercy its first lead of the frame, 18-17, before CMU responded with a late 8-5 run. A final kill from Martina Gonzato sealed the 25-23 decision for the visiting Eagles.

Defensively, Mount Mercy recorded 101 digs compared to Central Methodist's 92. Ellyson's 20 digs led all players, followed by Wright's 16 and Bendlage's 14. Schrage contributed three total blocks (one solo, two assists), while Bedier and Arsenault each added a pair of assisted blocks.

Gonzato led Central Methodist with 12 kills and a .216 attack percentage, while Milho and Araujo added 11 kills apiece. Setter Mariah Bostic-Jones dished out 27 assists and libero Vitoria Martins tallied a match-high 27 digs.

Mount Mercy will continue Heart Conference play on Tuesday, Oct. 7, when the Mustangs travel to face Clarke University in Dubuque. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.