Mount Mercy University - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy sweeps volleyball matches

OSKALOOSA - The Mount Mercy women's volleyball team raised its record to 27-11 Saturday with a pair of victories at the William Penn Triangular in Oskaloosa.

The Mustangs topped Missouri Valley, 23-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-22, and defeated William Penn, 25-22, 30-32, 25-15, 25-19.

Becca Thompson led a balanced attack against Missouri Valley with 15 kills. Cori Peterzalek had 13 kills, Olivia Coe 11 and Leslie Hoffmann 10. Abbie Perez collected 28 assists and Hannah Whitley had 16. Lauren Stopko contributed 14 digs and Peterzalek had 13.

Peterzalek collected 17 kills against William Penn and Hoffmann had 16. Perez finished with 29 assists and Whitley provided 19. Thompson had 21 digs. Hoffmann blocked four shots.

Mount Mercy women fall in opener

DES MOINES - The Mount Mercy women's basketball team opened the season with an 80-59 loss to Dakota State in the first round of the Grand View Classic on Friday Night in Des Moines.

Makenzie Zeitler led the Mustangs with 12 points and seven rebounds. Mount Mercy shot only 32.8 percent from the field and hurt themselves with 27 turnovers.

BreeAna Olson poured in 21 points for Dakota State.

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Mustangs have new coach, same goals

Aaron Jennings switched jobs at Mount Mercy University last week, becoming the head coach of the men's basketball team after leading the women's program for the past seven years.

Comically, he noticed the change right away. His new players are a lot taller than his former players.

"At the very first practice, that was one of the things I noticed the most," he said, laughing. "All right, bring it in guys -- And they're all just right there at eye level."

That's saying a lot, because Jennings stands 6-foot-8 and used to tower over his players on the women's basketball team.

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Mount Mercy men ranked 15th in nation

The Mount Mercy men's basketball team has been ranked 15th in the nation in the first NAIA Division II poll of the season.

The Mustangs finished 27-5 last year and reached the second round of the national tournament.

New head coach Aaron Jennings and the Mustangs open the season Nov. 3 at Saint Ambrose.

Cornerstone (Mich.) collected all 12 first-place votes in the poll and is ranked No. 1. The school won its third NAIA Division II national title last season.

TOP 25

1. Cornerstone, 2. Indiana Wesleyan, 3. Davenport, 4. Saint Francis, 5. Olivet Nazarene, 6. College of Idaho, 7. Union, 8. Bellevue, 9. Briar Cliff, 10. Indiana East.

11. St. Francis, 12. Northwest Christian, 13. Dordt, 14. Grace, 15. Mount Mercy, 16. St. Thomas, 17. Northwestern Ohio, 18. Warner Pacific, 19. Midland, 20. Tabor.

21. Robert Morris, 22. Bethel, 23. Southeastern, 24. Dakota Wesleyan, 25. Warner.