Mount Mercy University - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

No. 9 Mustangs knock off Graceland

The ninth-ranked Mount Mercy men's volleyball team used a balanced  attack to defeat Graceland, 3-1, in a Heart of America Conference  match at the Hennessey Recreation Center Saturday.

The set scores were 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 25-15.

The victory lifted the Mustangs to 15-6 overall and 7-1 in the league,  just a half-game behind Grand View for first place.

Andrew Colantone handed out 34 assists. Mitchell Wannahwilai had 17  digs and Evan Gaskill had 16.

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Mustangs take care of Missouri Valley

The Mount Mercy men's volleyball team has three shiny victories over  ranked teams this season, but now their matches against non-ranked  opponents have taken on extra meaning.

The Mustangs are chasing at least a share of the Heart of America  Conference title, something they'll achieve if they do not lose  another conference match this year.

The ninth-ranked Mustangs took a step in the right direction Friday  night with a 3-1 victory over Missouri Valley at the Hennessey  Recreation Center. The set scores were 25-21, 25-14, 23-25 and 25-17.

Grand View, the defending national champions, tops the Heart of  America Conference standings with an 8-1 record. Mount Mercy is  sitting in second place at 6-1 in the 10-game campaign.

For Mount Mercy, the goal is to win their final three matches in the  league and clinch at least a share of first place at 9-1.

The Mustangs upset Grand View when the Vikings were ranked No. 1  earlier in the season, but Grand View gained a measure of revenge by  defeating the Mustangs this past Wednesday.

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Mustangs spiked by No. 4 Vikings

The Mount Mercy men's volleyball team put itself on the map when it defeated Grand View last month when the Vikings were ranked No. 1 in the country, but the rematch was a different story.

Grand View swept the Mustangs, 25-19, 25-22, 25-18, in a Heart of America Conference match at the Hennessey Recreation Center Wednesday night to gain a measure of revenge.

Grand View, currently ranked No. 4, raised its records to 12-1 overall and 8-1 in the conference. Mount Mercy, which is ranked No. 9, fell to 13-6 overall and 5-1 in the league.

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Mustangs' season ended by Graceland

They may not be as talented as last year's NAIA national champions, but the Graceland Yellowjackets showed some championship-caliber play on Tuesday night.

Unfortunately for the Mount Mercy men's basketball team, that meant an end to their season.

Senior Mo Jackson scored 25 points to lead six players in double figures, including a key 4-point play to stymie a Mustang rally with 5:13 remaining, as Graceland avenged two regular-season losses with a 94-84 win in the opening round of the Heart of America Conference Tournament at the Hennessey Rec Center.

No. 9 seed Graceland (16-14) advances to the quarterfinals on Thursday night against No. 1 seed and top-ranked Benedictine (28-2). Mount Mercy, the eighth seed, closes its season at 16-15.

The visitors led 45-42 at halftime as both teams played spirited basketball in the first 20 minutes. Mount Mercy came out aggressively to start the second half, grabbing several offensive rebounds but were unable to finish.

"I thought we got to the basket," said Mustang Coach Aaron Jennings. "We drew up a couple plays. We executed, guys created, got some good looks but nothing dropped. I think we missed our first three or four layups and our first couple free throws and they took advantage."

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