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GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Graceland Falls to Morningside in Four Sets, Kline Leads Offense

Graceland Falls to Morningside in Four Sets, Kline Leads Offense

Box Score
Game Leaders
Graceland
K: Elijah Kline - 14
B: Chase VanDellen - 3
D: Luis Garcia - 9
SA: Malakai Moua - 1
Morningside
K: Kirby Schmalz - 12
B: Ian Smith - 5
D: Tucker Juhnke - 12
SA: 4 Players (#05, #08, #15, #16) - 1
Team Stats
Full stats

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Graceland University men's volleyball team dropped a four-set match to Morningside University (25-14, 25-13, 25-27, 25-15) on Tuesday evening at Allee Gym. The Yellowjackets now hold a 2-10 overall record and remain winless in conference play at 0-5, while Morningside improved to 7-4 overall and 3-3 in the conference.

Match Recap

Morningside started strong, taking the first two sets with efficient offensive execution, recording a .500 hitting percentage in the opening frame and .346 in the second. Graceland struggled to establish consistency early, managing just seven kills in the first set and five in the second, while also committing 11 total service errors in the match.

The Yellowjackets responded in the third set, capitalizing on a late push to extend the match. With the score tied at 25-25, Elijah Kline delivered a key kill to give Graceland the advantage, followed by an attack error from Morningside that sealed the set. Kline, who led Graceland's attack, finished with 14 kills on 32 attempts, hitting .281 for the match.

Morningside regained control in the fourth set, limiting Graceland's offense to a .065 hitting percentage while putting away 13 kills to secure the match victory.

Stat Leaders

  • Graceland Offense: Kline led the team with 14 kills, while Andrew Cziep and Andrew Youssef added eight and seven kills, respectively.
  • Morningside Offense: Kirby Schmalz paced the Mustangs with 12 kills, while Michael Padilla added nine kills.
  • Setting: Graceland's Luis Garcia recorded 32 assists, directing the Yellowjacket offense.
  • Defense: Graceland finished with 34 total digs, led by Garcia with nine, while Morningside's defense collected 43 digs.

Head coach Eric Majors emphasized the team's effort and highlighted Kline's performance despite the loss.

"The guys have been working hard, and we saw some moments of strong execution, especially in the third set," Majors said. "Eli played a great match and was a big part of our offensive rhythm. We just need to stay disciplined and bring that same energy into the next match."

Next Up

The Yellowjackets return home to take on William Penn this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Morden Center in Lamoni.

For more information on Graceland men's volleyball and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.