Mt. Mercy Volleyball

Mustang spikers win twice in Chicago

CHICAGO - The Mount Mercy University volleyball team squared its record at 5-5 Friday by capturing two matches at the Chicago State Tournament.

The Mustangs swept Indiana-Northwest, 25-9, 25-13, 25-13, and trimmed Trinity International, 25-13, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20.

Megan Paustian led a balanced attack against Indiana Northwest with 12 kills. Cori Peterzalek had nine kills, Emma Pisarik eight kills and Leslie Hoffmann seven kills.

Abbie Perez collected 31 assists against Indiana Northwest. Peterzalek had 13 digs and Samantha Meyer had nine digs.

Peterzalek led the way against Trinity with 12 kills. Hoffmann had 10 kills, Paustian eight and Demi Heiss eight.

Perez contributed 19 assists against Trinity. Emily Hendrickson had 15 assists and Meyer had 10. Hannah Whitley had 16 digs and Perez had 12 digs.

Young Mustangs fall short to Ashford

Megan Paustian got a taste of college volleyball during her one semester at Kirkwood last year, but even that limited experience has helped her take a leadership role with the young team at Mount Mercy University this season.

The Mustangs used four freshmen, four sophomores and a junior in their nine-player rotation Wednesday night during a 25-27, 25-12, 25-14, 25-18 loss to Ashford University in a non-conference match at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

Paustian, a sophomore, spent one semester at Kirkwood and one semester at Scott Community College before enrolling at Mount Mercy this year.

"I'm not a captain, but I find myself talking a lot in the huddles and talking a lot on the court and just getting the girls pumped up," said Paustian, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter who starred in high school at Pleasant Valley.

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Mount Mercy spikers drop 2 matches

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. - The Mount Mercy volleyball team dropped a pair of touch matches at the St.Xavier/Trinity Christian Crossover Tournament in Palos Heights Saturday.

Lourdes rallied to defeat the Mustangs, 20-25, 24-26, 25-20, 25-22, 15-10 in their first match. Siena Heights trimmed the Mustangs, 27-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-19 in the second contest.

Mount Mercy's record fell to 3-4 for the season.

Demi Heiss had 16 kills in the match against Lourdes. Ashley Strong collected 25 assists. Cori Peterzalek had 20 digs. Leslie Hoffmann contributed eight blocks.

The individual statistics from the Siena Heights match were not available Saturday night.

Mustangs split 2 volleyball matches

CHICAGO - The Mount Mercy University volleyball team split two matches at the St.Xavier/Trinity Christian Crossover Tournament in Chicago Friday.

The Mustangs lost to Roosevelt (Ill.), 25-22, 25-23, 25-19, but rebounded with a 20-25, 26-24, 25-22, 25-18 victory over Spring Arbor (Mich.).

Megan Paustian had 12 kills for the Mustangs against Roosevelt. Samantha Meyer had 15 digs. Abbie Perez collected 17 assists.

Rebekah Kujat finished with 18 kills against Spring Arbor. Gabrielle Hilliard had 22 assists. Lyndsay Murray had 15 digs.

Mount Mercy has a 3-2 record.