You knew the Mount Mercy women's volleyball team might be in a for a rough night Tuesday when the Grand View Vikings strolled into the gym with a shiny No. 2 national ranking and a half-dozen players who all measured at least six feet tall.

The Mustangs gave the Vikings a good battle at times but dropped a Heart of America Conference match, 25-15, 25-23, 25-16 at the Hennessey Recreation Center.

"They're a heck of a good team," said Mount Mercy Coach Deb Marlin. "The conference title is right there for them to snag. And I don't think a national championship is out of the question for them."

Grand View raised its perfect records to 13-0 overall and 5-0 in the conference. Mount Mercy fell to 13-7 overall and 3-5 in the league.

"We had to have our best game tonight," said Marlin. "And I thought we played really well at times and we played hard at times. Just crucial mistakes at crucial times."

The second set was tied, 23-23, but Grand View won the last two points for a 2-0 lead.

"We played with them at times," said Marlin. "If we just eliminate those runs. And that's the key with volleyball. Eliminate the runs.

"Tonight they had more firepower than we were able to produce. We'll be fine."

Alyssa Weldon led the Mustangs with nine kills. Caiti Peterson had 22 assists. Lauren Stopko accounted for 20 digs.

Kelsey Redmond led Grand View with 16 kills. Miranda Greathouse and Courtney Twit had 10 kills apiece in a balanced attack.