Courtesy of Midland Athletics
HASTINGS, Neb. – No. 17 Midland University was back in action Saturday as it traveled to Hastings College for an early evening Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) match. The Warriors got back to their winning ways with a straight-sets victory over the Broncos (25-11, 25-16, 25-20).
Midland started hot in the opening set, jumping out to an 8-1 lead. Hastings weathered the storm briefly but couldn’t close the gap to fewer than five, trailing 11-6. After a three-point Midland run, Hastings used its final timeout. The stoppage didn’t help, as the Warriors followed with a seven-point rally after a side out. Midland closed the set with a 25-11 win, hitting .233 with 13 kills. Hastings finished at -.188 with just two kills and six errors.
In the second set, the Warriors again took control, doubling up the Broncos at 10-5. The lead grew to nine before Hastings mounted a 5-1 run, cutting the deficit to four at 16-12. That was as close as the Broncos would get. Midland closed on an 8-3 run to win 25-16 and go up two sets.
The third set was more competitive early, with the teams trading points until Midland broke through with a seven-point run to lead 17-11. Hastings had a couple of mini rallies, but the Warriors stayed in control and closed out the match 25-20. The sweep was Midland’s fourth of the season and first in GPAC play.
“It felt good to get back on track and put another GPAC win on the board,” head coach Micah Rhodes said. “It felt even better winning in such a convincing fashion. It’s been a while since we played a solid, clean match from start to finish, so I was very pleased with our effort across the board and in the box score. I thought we were locked in and maintained a high level of play and energy in all three sets. Our players never allowed them to gain any sort of traction or momentum.
“The coaching staff decided to make some personnel changes in hopes of cleaning up our passing in all six rotations, and I believe that made a huge difference. Claire got her first career start at libero and did an outstanding job in all areas — passing, defense, out-of-system setting, and leadership. Syd also played a bigger role today and made some really great plays.
“I’m looking forward to being back at home next week against tough opponents in Doane and Dakota Wesleyan. Two more opportunities to grow as a team and keep improving our trust on the court.”
Statistical Standouts
- Abree Plueger: 7 kills, .211 hitting pct., 3 digs, 3 service aces
- Brooklynn Snyder: 13 kills, .458 hitting pct., 3 digs
- Jaysa Wentzlaff: 13 set assists, 6 digs
- Brena Mackling: 16 set assists, 8 digs, 6 service aces
- Lauren Jones: 11 kills, .450 hitting pct.
- Claire Johnson: 10 digs
- Sydney Guthard: 8 digs
Midland (8-6, 3-1 GPAC) returns home this week for a pair of matches inside Wikert Event Center. The Warriors host Doane (9-8, 1-3 GPAC) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Fremont, Nebraska, before its Homecoming and Alumni Day match on Saturday against Dakota Wesleyan.
