2019 Morningside Volleyball Media Guide

MORNINGSIDE VOLLEYBALL 2019

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL If colleges had birth certificates, this is the information that would have appeared on the hypothetical document issued for Morningside College almost 125 years ago.

Name: Date: Time: Place: Parents:

Morning Side College Dec. 5, 1894 5:30 p.m.

Sioux City, Iowa the Rev. G. W. Carr and a commission created by the Northwest Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church

It was an inauspicious birth. The new college was the successor to University of the Northwest, a short-lived institution launched in Sioux City with great fanfare in 1890 that was bankrupt and liquidated five years later. The Rev. G. W. Carr, who was University of the Northwest’s last president, served as Morningside College’s first president. It was Carr, along with a group of 14 other Methodist ministers, who filed Morningside College’s articles of incorporation with the Woodbury County Recorder’s Office at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, 1984. They gave the infant college a temporary name that came from the Sioux City suburb where University of the Northwest had established its campus. Optimistically, the founders hoped a wealthy patron would step forward to make a generous naming gift. On Sept. 11, 1895, Morningside

ABOUT MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE College classes officially started on the former University of the Northwest campus, which contained one building (known today as Charles City College Hall) and the foundation for an unfinished second building (today’s Lewis Hall). A record number of students, 196, enrolled for classes.

By contrast, the 21st century Morningside College has a total enrollment of nearly 3,000 full- and part-time students and a 69-acre campus with 25 buildings. Undergraduate students seek an active, experiential education in more than 65 majors and preprofessional programs. The college also offers graduate degree programs in teaching and nursing.

The majority of coursework for the Master of Arts in Teaching and the Master of Science in Nursing degrees is offered in a convenient online format. Morningside’s newest online degree program is an undergraduate major in organizational management that is designed for working adults who have some college credits and want to complete their bachelor’s degree.

As Morningside College marks the 125th anniversary of its founding, we provide students an extraordinary, immersive experience that challenges them to explore their interests and ideas, engage in a hands-on education, build authentic community, foster natural curiosity, and make an impact in the world.

JOHN REYNDERS

TIM JAGER

John Reynders, the 12th President of Morningside College, came to Morningside in 1999 from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he was Vice President for Administrative Services and Treasurer.

Tim Jager became Morningside’s athletic director on Aug. 1, 2012, following a highly successful career as the college’s head wrestling coach. Morningside has won the GPAC All-Sport Trophy five times in the last seven years under Jager’s leadership and was named the GPAC Athletic Director of the Year honor in 2016-17 and 2018-2019.

PRESIDENT

President Reynders has experience at all levels of higher education, having also served at Allegheny as Director and Dean of Enrollment Planning and Financial Aid (1990-97); Special Assistant to the Provost and Associate Director of Athletics (1988-90); and Associate Professor of Physical Education, Instructor in Mathematics, and Head Men’s Basketball Coach (1979-88). In addition to his teaching and administrative responsibilities, he has been active in higher education organizations as well as consulting for the George Dehne and Associates firm.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

President Reynders serves or has served on numerous not for profit boards and currently is a member of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (IAICU), the Iowa College Foundation, and Council of Independent Colleges (CIC). He is a former Chair of the NAIA Council of Presidents.

Jager compiled a 75-41-2 record in eight seasons as Morningside’s head wrestling coach after he started up the college’s varsity program. Jager guided the Mustangs to GPAC championships in 2011 and 2012. He was a three-time GPAC Coach of the Year and was the 2011 NAIA North Region Coach of the Year after he led Morningside to the NAIA North Region title. Jager was the NAIA’s 2011 recipient of the Bob Bubb Coaching Excellence Award presented to a coach who epitomizes the qualities and characteristics of a role model and mentor for developing student-athletes. He received the GPAC Coach of Character Award in 2011 and is past president of the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Association. Under Jager, the Mustangs received the NAIA Buffalo Funds Five Star Champions of Character Award three times.

President Reynders holds Master of Arts in Education and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics degrees from Allegheny.

He and his wife, Robin, share their sons: Mathew, Chuck, and Jeremy.

Jager serves on numerous Morningside hiring committees, is part of Morningside’s Advising Committee and Enrollment Management Team, and has served on the Student Life and Enrollment Task Force Committees.

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

COLLEGE INFORMATION Founded:....................................................................................... 1894

Dear Mustang Fans, Morningside College is an extraordinary institution, rich in tradition and influential in the lives of countless students since our founding in 1894. Hardworking, dedicated and ethical are just a few of the descriptions that capture the characteristics of young women and men who are, or have been, Morningsiders.

The terrific success of our athletic teams over the years is because we believe those characteristics win on the field, but more importantly in life. I am extremely proud of our student-athletes and coaches and look forward to another exciting year of Mustang athletics!

Go Mustangs!

Location:.................................................................... Sioux City, Iowa Enrollment:.................................................................................. 1270 President: .................................................................. John Reynders Athletic Director: ...............................................................Tim Jager Faculty Athletics Representative: .......................... Susie Lubbers Registrar: ........................................................................Jen Dolphin Ticket/Office Manager: ........................................... Cheryl Gamble Sports Information Director: ...........................................Nick Buth Head Athletic Trainer: ................................................. Katy Burford Athletic Trainer:..........................................................Ashley Culber Equipment Manager: ...................................................Bryce Rusler Athletic Phone:......................................................... (712) 274-5192 Athletic FAX:............................................................. (712) 274-5578 Sports Information Phone:..................................... (712) 274-5127 Affiliation:..................................................................................... NAIA Conference: ..................................................... Great Plains Athletic Mascot: ................................................................................Mustangs Colors: .......................................................................Maroon & White

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL Head Coach: ................................................................Beth Donnelly Alma Mater: ...........................................Northern Michigan (2004) Record At School: ..................................................... 62-65, 4 Years Career Record: .......................................................... 97-87, 6 Years Women’s Volleyball Office Phone: ....................... (712) 274-5317 Home Court: ........................................................ Allee Gymnasium Year Constructed: ..................................................................... 1949 Capacity: .................................................................................... 2,500 2019 Regular Season Record: ............................................... 16-10 GPAC Record/Finish: ............................................................ 8-8, 6th Home Record: ................................................................................ 6-3 Away/Neutral Record: ...............................................................10-8

The Morningside College experience cultivates a passion for lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

morningside.edu #MsideMustangs

msidemustangs.com #MsideProud

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

RECENT PROGRAM HISTORY

A LOOK AT MORNINGSIDE VOLLEYBALL’S RECENT HISTORY AN INAUSPICIOUS START When Beth Donnelly was announced as the next head coach for Morningside College’s volleyball program in 2015, she inherited a program that had seen a decline over the last few years and last made an appearance at the NAIA National Championship in 2012. She took the challenge head on, instituting a culture shift in the program.

It’s safe to say that Donnelly’s first season didn’t go as expected, ending with an 8-20 record and just three conference wins.

THE BEGINNING OF A TURNAROUND The new coach’s second season saw a new recruiting class and returned the Mustangs to the national stage, where they showed that they weren’t afraid to make some noise with a win over no. 7 Park University, the top seed in the Mustangs’ pool at the Tyson Events Center.

The Mustangs would finish the season 20-15, jumping into the postseason top 25, claiming the no. 24 spot.

TODAY OVER TOMORROW

MUSTANG MINDSET In 2017, Morningside started the season drawing national attention, entering the top 25 in the first vote of the fall. The Mustangs were absent in just two polls of the season, with their postseason run taking them into the bracket portion of the national championship after going 2-1 in pool play and earning them the no. 16 spot in the postseason poll.

The 2018 Mustangs had a lot of promise despite being a young team. Despite some big wins scattered throught the season, including wins over GPAC opponents that were ranked in the top 25, the Morningside team needed the last game of the regular season to secure its spot at the national championship.

After bowing out of the GPAC tournament in the first round, an extended break allowed the Mustangs to recouperate ahead of the national championship. The well-rested Mustangs seemed sluggish in their opening sets against no.2 Park, but found a spark in set three, nearly taking it from the Pirates.

Days two and three of the tournament saw an invigorated Morningside team, just missing a win over no. 15 Westmont in five sets, and picking up a four-set win over no. 18 Embry-Riddle.

“There was a sense of excitement,” reflected coach Beth Donnelly. “The team couldn’t wait for next season to get going … realizing we have so much depth and experience coming back.

The Mustangs celebrate after a point at the 2018 NAIA Volleyball National Championship.

For 2019, coach Donnelly challenged the team to focus on today. To focus on today’s practice, lifting session, or match, to avoid getting ahead and overlooking the task at hand.

“This senior group is understanding that time is fleeting in their collegiate careers. They, like the rest of the student-athletes in our program, need to give 110 percent today because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring,” explained Donnelly.

A trio featuring senior middle blockers Brittni Olson and Emma Gerber and junior outside hitter Krista Zenk, return to lead the offensive attack. Gerber and Zenk were onetwo last fall in kills, with Zenk at 368 and Gerber finishing with 338. Olson finished the season with 212.

Senior setter Callie Alberico was a big key to those numbers, as she was just 18 assists short of 1,000 on the season.

While the offense did have impressive numbers last fall and hoped to push to another level in this season, Coach Donnelly was quick to shift focus to the defense being the overall strong area.

“Kayla Harris came in last season and opened a lot of eyes,” she said. “We knew she was good but didn’t realize the extra step she had.”

“She’ll be the young one leading the way in the back,” Donnelly continued. “We have some veterans who will add to this, with Merrin Van Velzen, Ashley Boer, and Rylie Muhlbauer.”

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2019 MORNINGSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

2019 STATISTICS AS OF DECEMBER 1

ATTACK SET SERVE PASS DEF BLOCK GEN # Name SP MP K E TA Pct A SA SE TA RE TA DIG BS BA BE BHE 3 Sabrina Creason 68 22 2 4 19 -0.105 380 9 13 217 0 3 110 0 5 0 3 4 Merrin Van Velzen 91 27 1 0 5 0.200 10 5 6 169 21 298 203 0 0 0 0 5 Ashley Boer 97 27 1 1 11 0.000 9 18 18 318 13 264 245 0 0 0 0 6 Callie Alberico 93 26 49 8 119 0.345 700 15 16 294 0 0 207 0 13 1 19 7 Krista Zenk 97 27 289 128 813 0.198 5 7 17 178 30 316 142 3 37 4 1 8 Madison Hartman 51 22 73 52 237 0.089 6 3 11 36 8 134 45 1 7 0 0

10 Rylie Muhlbauer 88 27 0 0 2 0.000 5 9 19 241 0 34 67 0 0 0 1

12 Emma Gerber 98 27 291 88 661 0.307 3 3 7 60 0 12 52 21 82 4 1

15 Brittni Olson 98 27 214 56 612 0.258 3 0 0 0 2 9 34 11 67 2 1

16 Caitlin Makovicka 84 24 168 60 478 0.226 4 4 0 34 1 10 56 3 41 3 0

17 Marisa Beintema 2 1 0 0 0 0.000 0 0 2 6 0 0 3 0 0 0 0

18 Kaelyn Giefer 73 24 137 69 453 0.150 2 0 0 0 5 83 33 1 16 2 0

21 Kayla Harris 98 27 5 3 13 0.154 63 23 28 334 28 463 502 0 1 0 2

23 Courtney Baruth 71 22 74 42 211 0.152 0 0 2 4 1 12 19 11 42 8 0

31 Ryley Rolls 3 3 2 2 7 0.000 0 0 3 7 1 0 63 0 0 0 0 Totals 98 27 1306 514 3644 0.217 1190 97 142 1904 119 1660 1722 51 312 24 29

GPAC ALL-CONFERENCE

2019 SCHEDULE & RESULTS

Date 8/23/19 8/23/19 8/24/19 8/24/19 8/30/19 8/30/19 8/31/19 8/31/19 9/4/19 9/6/19 9/11/19 9/14/19 9/17/19 9/21/19 9/25/19 9/28/19 10/2/19 10/5/19 10/11/19 10/12/19 10/15/19 10/19/19 10/23/19 10/26/19 11/1/19 11/6/19 11/9/19 12/3/19 12/4/19 12/5/19

GERBER HEADLINES MUSTANG ALL-CONFERENCE PICKS

Overall: 16-11 GPAC: 8-8 Opponent Result Score McPherson College W 3-0 University of St. Mary W 3-0 Ottawa University W 3-0 Kansas Wesleyan University W 3-1 Rocky Mountain College W 3-0 Lourdes University W 3-0 Westmont College L 1-3 College of the Ozarks W 3-0 College of Saint Mary L 2-3 Dakota State University W 3-0 Midland University L 0-3 @ Doane University L 0-3 Concordia University W 3-1 Hastings College W 3-2 @ Briar Cliff University L 2-3 @ Midland University W 3-2 @ College of Saint Mary L 2-3 Doane University W 3-0 @ Concordia University L 1-3 @ Hastings College W 3-1 Briar Cliff University W 3-1 University of Jamestown L 0-3 @ Dordt University L 0-3 @ Northwestern College L 0-3 Mount Marty College W 3-0 @ Dakota Wesleyan University W 3-1 @ University of Jamestown L 1-3 Park University Oklahoma City University University of Providence

A week that saw numerous all-conference titles for Morningside continued as the GPAC announced its allconference teams for volleyball Wednesday, Nov. 20.

The Mustangs made four appearances in the release, headlined by senior middle blocker Emma Gerber being named to the first team.

Gerber, a combined three-time allleague honoree with back-to-back first-team selections, ranks among the top ten in the conference in hitting percentage, turning in a .307 average, good for 291 kills and an average of 2.97 kills per set, both categories she ranks in the top 15 in. Defensively, she Gerber ranks in the top 10 in blocks per set, averaging 1.1, and is among the top 15 of blocks with 103.

Sophomore Kayla Harris and junior Krista Zenk were second-team selections and junior Caitlin Makovicka was named honorable mention.

Zenk, an outside hitter, holds the number 16 spot in total kills in the conference, with 289, and averages 2.98 per set, good for the No. 9 spot on the conference leaderboard just ahead of Gerber.

Harris, the Mustangs’ libero, ranks fifth in the conference in total digs with 502 and has averaged a conferenceleading 5.12 digs per set.

Makovicka, another outside hitter, has 168 kills this season, a mark that sits just outside of the top 50 in the GPAC. She also has 44 blocks, which sits just inside the top 50.

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MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

MEET THE MUSTANGS

#2 - Kendall Evans

#3 - Sabrina Creason

#4 - Merrin Van Velzen

#5 - Ashley Boer

FR - Estherville, Iowa

SO - Shawnee Mission, Kan.

JR - Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

JR - Rock Rapids, Iowa

#6 - Callie Alberico

#7 - Krista Zenk

#8 - Madison Hartman

#10 - Rylie Muhlbauer

SR - Fort Calhoun, Neb.

JR - LeMars, Iowa

SR - Morgan Hill, Calif.

JR - Manning, Iowa

#12 - Emma Gerber

#15 - Brittni Olson

#16 - Caitlin Makovicka

#17 - Marisa Beintema

SR - Worthington, Minn.

SR - Sioux City, Iowa

JR - Ceresco, Neb.

FR - Sioux Falls, S.D.

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2019 MORNINGSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

#18 - Kaelyn Giefer

#21 - Kayla Harris

#23 - Courtney Baruth

#31 - Ryley Rolls

SO - Loveland, Colo.

SO - Dakota City, Neb.

FR - Sioux Falls, S.D.

FR - Alliance, Neb.

MUSTANG COACHING STAFF HEAD COACH BETH DONNELLY Beth Donnelly has a 62-65 career record in four seasons at Morningside and a 97-87 mark in six seasons as a head coach at the NAIA level.

In her second season at Morningside, she helped return the Mustangs’ volleyball program to national prominence in the 2016 campaign in her second season as the Mustangs’ head coach. Donnelly guided the Mustangs to a 20-15 record to end a streak of three consecutive losing seasons and led the Mustangs to their first NAIA National Tournament appearance since 2012. Morningside finished the season ranked 24th nationally in the NAIA’s postseason Top 25 Poll after defeating no. 7 Park University in pool play.

Donnelly brought Morningside to even greater heights at the 2017 NAIA National Tournament when the Mustangs went 2-1 in pool play to advance to the 16-team single-elimination bracket for the first time in school history. They followed that up by qualifying for the national tournament again in 2018.

Donnelly is a 2004 graduate of Northern Michigan University, where she was a four-year letter winner as an outside hitter for the NCAA Division II school. She helped lead the Wildcats to a pair of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships and an NCAA II Regional championship. She received a master’s degree in exercise science from Northern Michigan in 2006.

Braden Hall

Gabi Pederson

Ashley Culver

Jocelyn Johnson

Lindi Pojar

Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach

Athletic Trainer

Statistician

Statistician

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MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

2019 MORNINGSI

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TODAY OVER 2019 MORNINGSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

IDE VOLLEYBALL

TOMORROW

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MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

2019 IN REVIEW

Morningside secures their spot in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship with their win over Dakota Wesleyan University.

MORNINGSIDE VOLLEYBALL 2019: ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS Morningside Volleyball opened the season on a strong note, going 4-0 at the KCAC Fall Fling. The Mustangs were tested early, with no. 25 Ottawa University and receiving votes Kansas Wesleyan University both on the schedule for the second day of the twoday tournament.

Morningside quickly powered past McPherson College and the University of Saint Mary in a pair of 3-0 victories in Friday volleyball action before going toe-to-toe with no. 25 Ottawa University in their Saturday morning matchup.

The Mustangs started slow against Kansas Wesleyan before adjustments could be made for the remainder of the match. Morningside went on to convincing wins in sets two and three, and sealed the perfect weekend in set four.

Labor Day Classic. The Mustangs had little trouble with Rocky Mountain, before, on short rest, holding the Lourdes University Gray Wolves to less than 20 points in two of the three sets.

Day two opened with a morning match against the no.23 Westmont Warriors, the same team that handed Morningside it’s last loss in 2018.

Westmont came out swinging, taking set one easily, before Morningside came to life and took set their only set of the match.

The Mustangs didn’t let the young season’s first loss hold them back, and quickly bounced back with a 3-0 victory over College of the Ozarks.

Morningside held the Bobcats to fewer than 20 points in each of the three sets.

Morningside’s Great Plains Athletic Conference opener hosted the Flames from College of Saint Mary, a match that would prove that the GPAC was going to be as competitive as ever this season.

CSM took Morningside to five sets and walked away the victor after a 17-15 deciding set, fighting off a Mustang squad that took a 2-1 lead after the first-set loss.

“I think that we were outsmarted more than outplayed,” deduced Donnelly. “We played tough, we just did not adjust.”

She added, “I have to give props to Britt Olson, she had a great match tonight.

It’s almost like she found a different level tonight with the aggressiveness.

Setting her in the middle, she was cutting balls left and right.”

It didn’t take long before Morningside had a chance to bounce back, as they faced Dakota State University two days later. The Mustangs attacked the Trojans, serving aggressively and spreading the attack across multiple hitters.

“This weekend we saw what we need to work on, especially with blocking,” coach Beth Donnelly reflected. “The offense found some fluidity that wasn’t as developed in the preseason.

The team proved to be versatile, transitioning from one offense to another without much of a hitch.”

“I am really pleased with the outcome of this weekend’s matches. I think we learned a lot,” analyzed Donnelly. She continued, “I think the loss to Westmont really woke up our girls and allowed them to realize that we are a high caliber team that needs to show up and play at a high level every opportunity we get.”

The second week of the season saw the Mustangs compete in the GoSarpy

The Mustangs were set to carry a 7-1 record into the start of conference play.

“We were serving a whole lot tougher tonight than we have been,” explained Donnelly after the match. “Passing was a little up and down, but when we were on a roll offensively, we were pretty

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2019 MORNINGSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL stinking good. There are still some bumps in the road, but I did like to see that when we got down early, we fought back and didn’t panic.”

gave our setters good balls to dish to the hitters! We were all clicking well!

I’m very proud of how we all played tonight!”

The following week saw Morningside lose a close three-set match against no.

9 Midland University at home, then take their first GPAC road trip of the year, losing in straight sets at Doane. The Mustangs were 8-4 and 0-4 in the GPAC after a 7-1 start to the season.

“I think the overall feel tonight was that we were a little more comfortable with our defense and with the discipline of our defense,” explained coach Donnelly.

“We need to clean up our side of the net,” said Donnelly after the Midland loss. “I think it’s pretty obvious that we can hang with a top-ten team. We consistently do it, but when you’re playing that high level of competition and you have that many unforced errors, it’s not going to end your way.”

Homecoming week had arrived and featured Morningside matches against Concordia University and Hastings College. Both promised to be hard fought matches.

“Preparing for this game we made it a point to focus on the little things and taking it ball-by-ball instead of looking at the end goal,” explained senior middle blocker Emma Gerber ahead of the Concordia match.

Brittni Olson, also a senior middle blocker, agreed.

“After lifting this week, coach Jung talked to us about focusing on one set at a time,” she added. “I think that was huge to help us focus. We were very hungry to get back out on the court and prove ourselves.”

Morningside opened the Hastings match exchanging blows with the Broncos, but quickly fell behind, due, in part, to errors by the Mustangs.

Set two also went to the Broncos, but in a very different fashion. Morningside kept with Hastings the entire match, taking the lead several times, and forcing Hastings to play to 26, after tying at 24 points each.

Senior setter and team captain Callie Alberico explained how some of the work they’ve been doing in practice came into play in the win.

“We were able to forget about set one because we knew we weren’t playing the way that we wanted to. We knew what we needed to turn around and were able to stay strong mentally and come together.”

The Mustangs found a confidence boost in the locker room between sets two and three, coming out after the break and working Hastings over to the tune of an eight point victory, thanks, in part, to a drop from seven to two hitting errors in the set. Morningside hit .375

The Mustangs dialed up the energy in set one, working efficiently on offense and adapting well on defense to limit Concordia to just two kills.

Morningside found another level of energy in the penultimate set, with the players on the floor and on the bench feeding off of each other.

“We definitely had a lot more energy coming out of the break. We were bouncing back from errors more quickly. We weren’t letting one point here or there or one mistake affect the one coming up.”

Morningside took the ball in set five, and jumped to a crucial 3-0 lead before Hastings scored. The Mustangs stretched the lead to 8-4 as they switched sides, making it a 13-6 lead before the Broncos reared up. Hastings came back to make it a 13-11 game before Morningside stomped them down, giving up one more point on the way to the 15-12 victory.

Following the match, sophomore libero Kayla Harris commented on the team’s chemistry.

“Our team chemistry was phenomenal,” she explained. “Even when we’re down, we know how to pick each other up.

We’re trusting each other a lot more in the back row and trusting our offense to put the ball away.”

The Mustangs were now 10-4 and 2-3 in the conference.

In the season’s sixth week, Morningside played a non-conference match against crosstown rival, Briar Cliff University.

They also started seeing conference teams for the second time, visiting Midland University.

The Mustangs knew that Briar Cliff was going to hold back nothing in an attempt to pick up the win. Morningside came up short of the win, as the Chargers took sets one, three, and the deciding fifth set.

Morningside held off Concordia’s attempts to take set two, claiming the victory, but dropping set three. The Mustangs bounced back to close things out in set four, securing their first conference win.

“The atmosphere on the court was insane! Having everyone on the court, giving their all the entire time, not allowing a ball to drop,” said Olson.

Our back row played amazingly and

in set three, finding the floor for 17 kills in 40 attempts.

Morningside hoped to even the season series when they went to Midland. They made their intentions clear early, taking set one and set three from the hosts.

Callie Alberico sets a ball for one of her 3,000+ career assists.

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The Mustangs came out swinging in set five, never trailing in the set, and going on an eight-point run to leave Midland

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL in the dust 12-3. Morningside would give up just two points after switching courts on the way to the 15-5 victory.

“Our serving was a big difference in set five. We were putting pressure on their passers and getting a ton of free balls back so we could set up the offense,” said Donnelly. “Midland is a solid passing team. So for us to rattle them says a lot.”

In the Mustangs’ second bout with College of Saint Mary, Morningside, now no. 25 in the NAIA’s rankings, was made aware that CSM wasn’t going to go without a fight. The two teams engaged in battle from the beginning of set one, with neither team securing a threepoint lead in the set.

The Flames took the next set two, and started set three quickly. Morningside, however, was able to mount a comeback, taking the lead for good late in the set. CSM took set four, and set five went back and forth following the turn. The Flames came out on top in the set, claiming the match 3-2.

2019 IN REVIEW

immediately. We didn’t let them affect the next play.”

A Friday-Saturday trip to Concordia and Hastings was next on the calendar for Morningside. The Mustangs let Friday’s match slip away, losing 3-1 after taking the first set. Two and three could have both gone either way, with scores of 2826 and 27-25.

Saturday’s Hastings match was another perfect opportunity for M’side to bounce back. They did so to the tune of a 3-1 win and securing their only series sweep of the season.

“Last night it seems that we always had a quick start, but just couldn’t finish,” Donnelly explained. “I was very pleased to see our resilience in set four and not allowing it to go to set five.”

The Mustangs next capitalized on a chance to get even with Briar Cliff.

Morningside had to work for every point, dropping set one before coming back to win three unanswered sets.

“We still have five very tough matches to come. If we want to play in the postseason, we can’t lose any steam.

We need to keep pushing,” foretold Donnelly.

Three of those matches were against no. 11 the University of Jamestown, no. 22 Dordt University, and top-ranked Northwestern College. Morningside wasn’t able to pick up a set in any of those appointments, losing all three in straight sets.

Emma Gerber records career kill no. 1,000 at College of Saint Mary

Morningside picked up a big win over Doane later that week, bouncing back from the previous loss 3-0 and evening the series. Morningside advanced to 12-6 and 4-4 in the conference following the win.

“Today goes to show how much of an impact the mental game plays. Today we were very, very focused. We were calm. We were deliberate,” explained coach Beth Donnelly. “I think that was the big difference that I saw today over the College of Saint Mary or Briar Cliff. We rebounded from our mistakes

The Mustangs were 14-10 following the Northwestern loss, holding a .583 win percentage, short of the .600 required to secure a national championship host berth. They would have to win out to guarantee a spot in the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship.

Brittni Olson records career kill no. 1,000 against Jamestown.

lots of laughs and tremendous effort.

It was a great way to finish the home portion of their careers.”

The regular season for Morningside wrapped up on the road at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Mustangs were able to secure the win in the fourset affair, taking the closing two sets in DWU’s Christensen Athletic Center.

Morningside’s improved 16-10 overall record was enough to secure a spot in the national championship, and 8-8 in the conference gave them the no. 7 seed in the GPAC Tournament.

Morningside’s seniors have capped new career marks in assists (Alberico), block assists (Olson), and kills (Gerber) this season. Sophomore libero, Kayla Harris, has led the conference in digs per set since the beginning of the season, and has eyes to break the 1,000 dig mark at the NAIA Women’s Volleyball Championship. Olson and Gerber eclipsed 1,000 kills each while Alberico surpassed 3,000 assists.

Morningside hosted Mount Marty College for senior night, with the Mustangs honoring the graduating class ahead of a quick 3-0 match in favor of Morningside.

“It was a team win for sure,” reflected Donnelly after the match. “These girls have been playing together for so long, any rotation we were in seemed like it was better than the last. There were – 10 –

Kayla Harris passes the ball for one of her 964 digs to date.

2019 MORNINGSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

FEATURE: ALBERICO FAMILY

Callie Alberico with parents, Tim and Angie, during Morningside’s Senior Night celebration.

FAMILY’S LOVE OF GAME IS AT IT’S CENTER

BY MARK ADKINS, MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR A recreational volleyball league meeting spawned not only an intense love of the game but led to the creation of the Tim and Angie Alberico family.

As their daughter, Callie, who has taken her enjoyment of volleyball to a stellar collegiate level, puts it, her mom and dad met during a recreational league in Blair, Neb. Tim had played collegiate football at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln got involved in the league, and met Angie, his future wife, in the process.

With her setter skills in place, Donnelly made Alberico one of the 2019 team captains, a role she’s relished throughout the season.

“Volleyball is extremely prevalent in our family,” Callie noted. “It goes beyond my mom and dad meeting through it but also due to my mom coaching me at the Blair YMCA, and then I went from there to club ball from ages nine to 17. All of that led me to a collegiate experience (at Morningside).”

Mustangs’ head coach Beth Donnelly couldn’t be happier those sequence of events occurred. Alberico has risen into the career top five for assists as the primary setter for the Maroon. Succeeding in a role where you need to be aware of nearly everything in front of you.

“You’ve got to pay attention to a lot,” she said. “The most significant focus is on the other side what they are doing, such as offensive dumps they get, where their blocks are set up and where serves might coming at you … down the line.

Most times, I’m looking for Krista (Zenk of LeMars, Iowa) upfront or Ashley (Boer of Rock Rapids, Iowa) if I’m

chasing down a ball deep. However, it’s all so situational.

You’re always just reading. As an example, if I see a weaker blocker at the net (for the opposition), I’ll set that way for our hitter, so they have the opportunity to get our offense going.”

“I’ve been in a leadership spot since I was a sophomore as, being a setter, you’re running the offense, so it’s natural,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed every part of being with the program and my teammates.”

Being part of the Mustang family on the court also transfers to her family off the court. Callie resides with her aunt off-campus in Sergeant Bluff and always has a large section of the crowd cheering her on. “Family is so important to me,” she admitted. “They are always behind the team at matches and me.”

Alberico, a business major, is going to let post-graduate plans play themselves out.

“There is so much you can do (with a business major),” she said. “I know I want to move to Des Moines … maybe law school. It’ll work itself out.

I tell everyone to enjoy every second of this (collegiate and volleyball experience),” she added. “Things move along quickly, so you need to soak it all in.”

Just as she and her family have done with volleyball … leading them to a game and passion of a lifetime.

– 11 –

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

RECORD BOOKS AS OF DECEMBER 1

SCHOOL RECORDS When considering volleyball records, the different eras of scoring must be acknowledged. The below records reflect marks set since the switch from sideout scoring to rally scoring, and after the required score to win a game was switched to 25 points. ∞ Denotes a record that covers all eras of play.

Ace Serves SINGLE GAME (3 SETS) Indiv.: 7 - Jessica Tjaden, 2009 Team: 15 - 2009

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 7 - Addi Radke, 2008 Team: 11 - 2014

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 6 - Jessica Becker, 2014 Team: 14 - 2014

SEASON Indiv.: 63 - Jessica Tjaden, 2009 Team: 210 - 2009

CAREER 81 - Callie Alberico, 2016-19

Assists SINGLE GAME (3 SETS) Indiv.: 49 - Kali Angerman, 2008 Team: 50 - 2008

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 59 - Kali Angerman, 2008 Team: 63 - 2018

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 65 - Kali Angerman, 2008 Team: 70 - 2009

SEASON Indiv.: 1,641 - Kali Angerman, 2008 Team: 1,854 - 2008

CAREER 3,354 - Callie Alberico, 2016-19

Block Assists SINGLE GAME (3 SETS) Indiv.: Team: 24 - 2016

Digs SINGLE GAME (3 SETS) Indiv.: 24 - Jamie Vander Kooi, 2009 Team: 93 - 2009

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 12 - Briana Schaeuble, 2011 Team: 35 - 2016

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 12 - Briana Schaeuble, 2012 Team: 36 - 2012

SEASON

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 26 - Kaeli Austin, 2011 Team: 118 - 2008

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 33 - Riley Callan, 2011 Team: 127 - 2011

SEASON

Indiv.: 154 - Briana Schaeuble, 2012 Team: 587 - 2016

CAREER

Indiv.: 610 - Jamie Vander Kooi, 2008 ∞ Team: 2,741 - 2008

CAREER

390 - Brittni Olson, 2016-19 ∞

Solo Blocks SINGLE GAME (3 SETS) Indiv.: 9 - Amber Jarzynka, 2008 ∞ Team: 12 - 2008

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 6 - Liz Sutherland, 2009 Team: 16 - 2009 ∞

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 4 - Brittni Olson, 2016 Team: 11 - 2009

SEASON Indiv.: 61 - Amber Jarzynka, 2008 ∞ Team: 168 - 2009

CAREER 112 - Emily Christen, 2008-09

Kills SINGLE GAME (3 SETS)

1,137, Jamie Vander Kooi, 2008-09

Digs by a Libero SINGLE GAME (3 SETS) Indiv.: 36, Darcy Christensen, 2011 ∞

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 36, Darcy Christensen, 2011 ∞

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 38 - Grace Chvatal, 2013

SEASON Indiv.: 760 - Jericho Johnson, 2008 ∞

CAREER 1,255 - Darcy Christensen, 2010-11

Brittni Olson (#15) became the all-time career leader in block assists this season.

Indiv.: 19 - Addi Radke, 2008 Team: 54 - 2008

SINGLE GAME (4 SETS) Indiv.: 22 - Emma Gerber, 2018 Team: 69 - 2017

SINGLE GAME (5 SETS) Indiv.: 26 - Jamie Vander Kooi, 2009 Team: 74 - 2009

SEASON Indiv.: 484 - Jamie Vander Kooi, 2009 Team: 2,010 - 2008

CAREER 1,162 - Maggie Vondrak, 2011-13 Emma Gerber, 2016-19

– 12 –

2019 MORNINGSIDE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

MUSTANG VOLLEYBALL

ALL-TIME STATISTICAL LEADERS AS OF DECEMBER 1 Ace Serves

Total Blocks

1. 534, Jill Jackes, 1990-94

1. 232, Kate Ankrum, 1994-97 2. 178, Lindsie Honsbruch, 2001-04

2. 522, Karmen Fykstra, 1992-95

3. 164, Lori Van Meeteren, 2000-03

3. 452, Brittni Olson, 2016-19

4. 156, Tina Whitecotton, 1989-92

4. 450, Cassie Cheever, 2004-07

5. 155, Kali Angerman, 2007-08

5. 445, Jennifer Gruber, 1999-2002

6. 153, Raylee Goodburn, 1989-91

Ankrum

6. 406, Theresa Kathman, 1993-96

7. 153, Jill Jackes, 1990-94

7. 375, Emma Gerber, 2016-19

8. 153, Stephanie Baddeley, 1993-96

8. 371, Briana Schaeuble, 2009-12

9. 143, Katie Kotlik, 2004-07

9. 330, Tasha Feldman, 1995-97

10. 138, Catie Bobier, 2005-08

10. 317, Jennifer Buyert, 2014-17

Digs

Assists

1. 1,725, Jericho Johnson, 2006-08 *

1. 5,540, Brenna Larsen, 1999-02 2. 5,362, Kate Ankrum, 1994-07

2. 1,638, Lindsie Honsbruch, 2001-04

3. 4,222, Deb Spencer, 1990-93

3. 1,563, Theresa Kathman, 1993-96

4. 3,354, Callie Alberico, 2016-19

4. 1,428, Lori Van Meeteren, 2000-03

5. 3,351, Kali Angerman, 2007-08

5. 1,422, Catie Bobier, 2005-08

6. 2,687, Monica Iverson, 2008-11

6. 1,400, Steph Baddeley, 1993-96

Larsen

7. 2,211, Katie Kotlik, 2004-07

7. 1,355, BJ Rohlena, 2003-05

8. 2,112, Miranda Martin, 2004-05

8. 1,285, Tina Whitecotton, 1989-92

9. 1,569, Jessica Tjaden, 2009

9. 1,255, Darcy Christensen, 2010-11 *

10. 1,537, Samantha Vande Kamp, 2003

10. 1,225, Angie Hogue, 2000-03

1. 1,831, Theresa Kathman, 1993-96

1. 390, Brittni Olson, 2016-19 2. 382, Jill Jackes, 1990-94

2. 1,662, Cassie Cheever, 2004-07

3. 366, Karmen Fykstra, 1992-95

3. 1,583, Jill Jackes, 1990-94

4. 344, Jennifer Gruber, 1999-02

4. 1,403, Jennifer Gruber, 1999-02 5. 1,400, Karmen Fykstra, 1992-95

5. 325, Cassie Cheever, 2004-07 Olson

6. 1,252, Lindsie Honsbruch, 2001-04

7. 307, Briana Schaeuble, 2009-12

7. 1,238, Cara DeStigter, 2005-07

8. 299, Theresa Kathman, 1993-96

8. 1,220, Tasha Feldman, 1995-97

9. 282, Jenn Buyert, 2014-2017

9. 1,170, Angie Hogue, 2000-03

10. 260, Tasha Feldman, 1995-97

10. 1,141, Stephanie Baddeley, 1993-96

Block Solos

Kathman

Attack Percentage Min. Two Years

1. 156, Karmen Fykstra, 1992-95

1. .453, Kristen Kofoed, 1990-92

2. 152, Jill Jackes, 1990-94

2. .396, Amber Jarzynka, 2007-08

3. 125, Cassie Cheever, 2004-07

3. .373, Tiffanie Honsbruch, 1996-99

4. 112, Emily Christen, 2008-09

4. .372, Julie McBroom, 1997-2000

5. 107, Theresa Kathman, 1993-96

5. .357, Liz Sutherland, 2009-10

6. 101, Jennifer Gruber, 1999-02

Johnson

Kills

Block Assists

6. 322, Emma Gerber, 2016-19

Jackes

Fykstra

6. .335, Dena Kelly, 1991-92

7. 101, Amber Jarzynka, 2007-08

7. .328, Emily Christen, 2008-09

8. 89, Liz Sutherland, 2009-10

8. .320, Karmen Fykstra, 1992-95

9. 85, Andra Pedersen, 2006-07

9. .315, Cassie Cheever, 2004-07

10. 82, Julie McBroom, 1997-2000

10. .308, Jennifer McNeill, 2003-04 – 13 –

Jarzynka

The Morningside College experience cultivates a passionfor lifelong learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.