Mustangs Rebound With Conference Road Win Over Clarke

DUBUQUE, Iowa — The Mount Mercy University women's volleyball team returned to the win column Tuesday night with a 3–1 victory (23–25, 26–24, 25–16, 25–15) over Clarke University in Heart of America Athletic Conference action at the Kehl Center. The Mustangs improved to 11–7 overall and 6–5 in league play, while the Pride dropped to 2–21 and 0–13.

Mount Mercy recorded a .208 hitting percentage, led by Hallie Bedier, who posted 13 kills on 30 attempts with a .267 efficiency. Mary Kate Bendlage added 11 kills, five block assists, and a team-high 13 digs, while Ellie Gerdes finished with nine kills and four block assists. Setter Maddie Marquardt directed the Mustang offense with 21 assists, while Delaney Rhoden added 21 assists and three service errors in the team's 6–2 rotation.

The Mustangs totaled 48 kills on 120 attempts while limiting Clarke to 40 kills and a .036 hitting percentage. Mount Mercy also out-blocked the Pride 10–7 and posted eight service aces, including a match-high six from Brooke Ellyson, who contributed seven total points along with seven digs.

After dropping a tightly contested opening set 25–23, the Mustangs regrouped and relied on strong side-out execution to even the match. Bendlage and Gerdes combined for six kills late in Set 2 as Mount Mercy overcame a 20–18 deficit to close on an 8–4 run. A service ace from Ellyson and back-to-back attack errors by Clarke sealed the 26–24 win, evening the match at one set apiece.

Mount Mercy's offense found rhythm in the third set, hitting .375 with 12 kills and only three errors. The Mustangs built a 6–1 lead on consecutive service aces from Ellyson and maintained control throughout. Bedier and Bendlage combined for nine kills in the frame, and Bella Dantzler contributed a solo block to help secure the 25–16 victory.

In the final set, Mount Mercy opened with a 6–1 run behind consecutive kills from Bendlage and Dantzler. The Mustangs extended their lead to double digits behind a balanced attack, recording 14 kills at a .242 clip. Ellyson closed the match with her sixth ace before Bendlage and Dantzler combined for the match-winning block at 25–15.

For the match, the Mustangs posted 45 assists, 48 digs, and 66 total points. Gerdes led the front line with 11.0 points, while Bedier and Bendlage contributed 13.5 and 14.5, respectively. Dantzler was efficient on the pin, hitting .556 with six kills and six block assists, totaling nine points.

Clarke was led by Keely Colyer, who finished with 14 kills and six block assists. Kortney Harms added eight kills and 15 assists, while Jaxcyn Berntgen recorded a team-high 12 assists and two service aces. The Pride's offense struggled late, committing 35 errors in the four-set contest, including eight in the final frame.

Mount Mercy returns to action Friday, Oct. 10, when they travel to Peru State. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.